Democratic Governors Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul of California and New York, respectively, issued brief warnings to Texas after the Republican-led state legislature voted Wednesday evening to advance a controversial congressional redistricting plan.
Newsweek reached out to GOP Texas Governor Greg Abbott‘s office via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The vote in Texas occurred after weeks of partisan standoffs in Austin, including a Democratic walkout, as it heightened concerns that states could spark a mid‑decade redistricting “arms race” ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Texas Republicans said the map could produce as many as five additional GOP‑leaning seats; Democrats said they would mount legal challenges and urged broader pushback from governors and allies.
The Lone Star State’s GOP has felt partisan pressure to redraw its congressional map.
President Donald Trump, whose Republicans face vulnerabilities ahead of next year’s elections, has thrown his support behind Texas Republicans’ efforts, which they say are “an essential step to preserving GOP control in Congress.”
Trump welcomed the Texas House approval of the proposed map changes in a post on Truth Social, calling it a “big win” that would bring five more congressional seats for the Republicans.
What To Know
Posting to X after the vote passed, Newsom said, “It’s on, Texas.”
Hochul also said in a post to X, “Game on.”
The Texas House approved the proposed congressional map by an 88-52 party‑line vote, advancing the legislation to the state Senate, where passage is expected.
Redistricting is a routine process in the United States, but it typically occurs every 10 years after a new census is released. Texas Republicans strayed from that this year, when they acted on Trump’s demand to redraw congressional maps in their state ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
Earlier, former Democratic President Barack Obama weighed in on the rare mid-decade redistricting battles unfolding in several states, voicing support for Newsom’s stance on revising congressional maps.
“I believe that Governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach,” Obama said during a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, according to excerpts obtained by the Associated Press.
“He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it. We’re only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers,” Obama added, paraphrasing Newsom’s previous comments on the issue.
The former president went on to say that although “political gerrymandering” is not his “preference,” if Democrats “don’t respond effectively, then this White House and Republican-controlled state governments all across the country, they will not stop, because they do not appear to believe in this idea of an inclusive, expansive democracy.”
The two parties have long traded accusations of gerrymandering, or amending maps in the interests of one side over another to create “safe” electoral seats, in various states around the country.
Texas has 38 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The GOP holds 25 and the Democrats have 12, with one vacancy.
Nationally, Republicans hold 219 House seats while Democrats have 212, with four vacancies.
Two seats left vacant after the deaths of two Democrats—in Arizona and Texas—will be decided in special elections in the fall. If the GOP loses both in the heavily blue districts, Democrats will inch to within three seats of a House majority, and there are several dozen competitive districts out of the 435.
What People Are Saying
Trump on Truth Social on Wednesday: “Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!! Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing. More seats equals less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT. It means Happiness and Peace. But Republicans, there is one thing even better—STOP MAIL-IN VOTING, a total fraud that has no bounds. Also, go to PAPER BALLOTS before it is too late—At one tenth the cost, faster, and more reliable. If we do these TWO things, we will pick up 100 more seats, and the CROOKED game of politics is over. God Bless America!!!”
Texas Democrats, responding to Obama’s comments, wrote on X: “Thank you, President @BarackObama, for joining Texas House Democrats today. Your words reminded us why we broke quorum: Democracy isn’t self-executing. It requires us to stand up and fight for it. We’re honored by your support.”
What Happens Next
The Texas redistricting plan will be sent to the Republican-majority Texas state Senate, where it is expected to pass by Thursday.
California Democrats have unveiled a proposal that could give the party an additional five U.S. House seats in a bid to win control of the lower chamber next year. If voters approve the plan in November, it could erase nearly every Republican House member in the Golden State.
Update 8/21/25, 3:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.