Context:

Democratic Governors Gavin Newsom of California and JB Pritzker of Illinois have threatened to redraw their states' congressional maps if Texas Republicans proceed with partisan redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections. This move follows meetings with Texas House Democrats, who are fighting against the proposed gerrymandering intended to secure a Republican majority in the U.S. House. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session to redraw maps, prompted by pressure from the White House and a federal court decision regarding racial gerrymandering. Newsom and Pritzker, potential 2028 presidential candidates, argue that retaliatory actions might involve changing independent commission processes or even putting measures to voters. Despite these threats, practical challenges remain for Democrats to mimic such partisan redistricting, given legal constraints and existing political structures in their states.

Dive Deeper:

• Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker have issued explicit threats to counter Texas Republicans' redistricting by potentially redrawing their own states' congressional maps, highlighting the national implications of the Texas battle.

• Texas Governor Greg Abbott's special session aims to redraw maps under pressure from the White House, despite redistricting typically occurring post-census, with the goal of creating up to five new Republican seats.

• Texas Democrats, including State Representative Richard Peña Raymond, have been meeting with other state leaders to seek support against the aggressive Republican redistricting, emphasizing its broader national impact.

• Newsom has suggested several paths to circumvent California's independent commission approach to redistricting, including potential ballot measures, all contingent on Texas proceeding with its plans.

• The potential for Democratic retaliation faces significant hurdles, as redrawing maps in states like California and Illinois involves overcoming established nonpartisan systems and existing pro-Democrat advantages.

• National Democratic leaders are considering strategies such as Texas House Democrats walking out to deny quorum, though previous similar actions have not successfully prevented Republican gerrymanders.

• Abbott defends the redistricting initiative by citing a Justice Department letter and recent appellate court ruling, arguing against the necessity of coalition districts, which challenges existing legal interpretations of racial gerrymanders.