Governor Newsom meets with Texas state leaders amid Republican efforts to gerrymander state to let Trump keep wielding power without restraint

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today hosted leaders from the Texas State Legislature as Texas Republican efforts get underway to undemocratically keep President Trump in power — operating without any Congressional oversight — by redrawing congressional lines before 2030.

“Donald Trump called up Governor Abbott for one simple reason: to rig the 2026 elections. California’s moral high ground means nothing if we’re powerless because of it. This moment requires us to be prepared to fight fire with fire. Whether that’s a special election, a ballot initiative, a bill, a fight in court. If they proceed in Texas, we will be ready.”

The Texas state leaders and Governor Newsom discussed the special session that is underway. The leaders shared how real this power grab threat is, their willingness to fight it with all tools necessary, and their gratitude to Governor Newsom for fighting back.

“We met with Governor Newsom because he understands that democracy works best when elected officials serve the people, not politicians in Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Rafael Anchía. “While Texas bows to Trump’s election manipulation scheme instead of helping flood victims, we found real leadership in Governor Newsom.”

This meeting comes as the Texas Legislature begins their special session, one that is supposed to focus on emergency preparedness and response given the deadly floods earlier this month. However, President Trump has publicly and repeatedly pressured an uneasy state legislature to redraw their congressional map — mid cycle — to more favorably support Republicans. In fact, recent polling found 63% of likely Texas voters view its Trump-backed redistricting plan as unnecessary.

“Donald Trump is planning to steal the 2026 election — plain and simple — by calling on Governor Abbott to rig the congressional maps in Texas,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Trump’s health care cuts to pay for billionaires tax breaks are deeply unpopular. He knows voters won’t choose him again, so he wants to choose whose vote matters. It’s shameful that Texas Republicans are going along with the scam to silence American citizens, but we won’t sit back and let it happen. If they move forward in Texas, California will be ready to fight fire with fire — in the courts, in the legislature, and at the ballot box.”

“Donald Trump and Governor Abbott are trying to rig the 2026 election by redrawing congressional maps in the middle of the decade,”  said Congressman Ted Lieu. “Trump knows his agenda is deeply unpopular, so he’s working to silence voters instead of win them over. It’s an attack on our democracy, plain and simple. If Texas moves forward, California will be ready to fight back in the courts, in the legislature, and at the ballot box. And every Democratic-led state should seriously consider mid-decade redistricting in response. We won’t let MAGA Republicans rewrite the rules unchallenged.”

And key leaders from across the country have voiced interest in fighting back as well.

• AZ Senator Ruben Gallego: “It’s time for Democrats to understand the existential threat.”

• MI Senator Elissa Slotkin: “I’m not going to … fight with one arm tied behind my back”

• NY Governor Kathy Hochul: “All’s fair in love and war. We are following the rules. We do redistricting every 10 years, but if there are other states that are violating the rules and trying to give themselves an advantage, all I say is I’ll look at it closely with Hakeem Jeffries.”

• IL Governor JB Pritzker: “We all ought to stand up against it”

• NJ Governor Phil Murphy: “if that’s the way we’re going, we’re from Jersey, baby, and we won’t be laying down.”

• MD House Majority Leader: “I’m introducing legislation to redraw Maryland congressional districts if any other state cheats & draws new maps outside of the census period.”

Meeting participants

• Rafael Anicha (Dallas) — Representative Anicha is the former Chair of the Latino Caucus. He has served since 2004.
• Jessica Gonzalez (Dallas) — Representative Jessica Gonzalez is the Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus. She has served since 2019.
• Ramon Romero (Fort Worth) — Representative Romero is the Chair of the Latino Caucus. He has served since 2015.
• Ana Maria Rodriguez (Dallas) — Representative Ana-Maria Rodriguez is the Chair of the Progressive Caucus. She has served since 2019.
• Barbara Gervin Hawkins (San Antonio) — Representative Gervin Hawkins is the Chair of the Black Caucus. She has served since 2016.
• Claudia Ordaz (El Paso) — Representative Claudia Ordaz has served since 2020. She was a city council member of El Paso prior to her election to the Texas House.
• Zoe Lofgren (CA, D-18) — California Congressional Delegation Dean.
• Ted Lieu (CA, D-36) — Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.