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California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he is able to battle “hearth with hearth” as state Republican lawmakers attempt to enact redistricting in Texas, opposing the transfer although promising to pursue comparable measures if wanted.
At a press convention on Monday, Newsom stated he helps impartial redistricting, in addition to a nationwide framework, and a proposal being superior within the legislature reinforces what he helps.
“The proposal that we’re advancing with the legislature has a set off provided that they transfer ahead, to dismantling the protocols which might be well-established,” the governor stated. “Would the state of California transfer ahead in form? Preventing? Sure, hearth with hearth.”
When requested a couple of assembly between California Democrats on Sunday night time, throughout which period they drafted or had been nearly achieved with the draft of redistricting maps, and whether or not he had seen these maps, Newsom said he had not.
AWOL TEXAS DEMS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION, FELONY CHARGES FOR ABSENCE AMID REDISTRICTING BATTLE
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he was able to battle hearth with hearth if Texas lawmakers approve a measure to enact redistricting within the state. (AP Picture/Steven Senne)
However he stated there was an ongoing sequence of conversations into the night final night time, which continued on Monday morning and can proceed till Democrats land on a course of.
“That course of has to have the concurrence, the assist of two-thirds of the legislature,” he stated. “The maps, we imagine, ought to be clear. They need to be supplied in a clear strategy to the general public, and as a consequence, these maps are being processed and will likely be dropped at mild.”
On the finish of the day, although, Newsom stated the folks of California may have the last word say.
“We’ll provide them the chance to make judgments for themselves, once more, provided that Texas strikes ahead,” Newsom stated. “I’ll reinforce that we imagine it ought to be a nationwide mannequin, impartial nationwide redistricting, and it will revert again to its unique kind, nevertheless it’s achieved in response to the existential realities that we’re now going through. Issues have modified, info have modified, so we should change.”
HOCHUL VOWS TO ‘FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE’ ON REDISTRICTING WHILE HOSTING TEXAS DEMOCRATS WHO FLED STATE
Newsom and Trump face off (Pool)
“They’ve triggered this response and we’re not going to roll over and we’re going to battle hearth with hearth, however we’re going to take action not simply punching with the load of the fourth largest economic system, probably the most populous state in our union, the scale of 21 state populations mixed,” he continued. “We additionally will punch above our weight when it comes to the affect of what we’re doing, and I feel that ought to be absorbed by these within the Texas delegation. No matter they’re doing will likely be neutered right here within the state of California, and they’re going to pay that value.”
California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin advised Fox Information Digital that Newsom’s actions might threaten the constitutional rights of Californians whereas additionally setting a harmful precedent.
“Whereas Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive transfer, it undermines California’s nationally revered, voter-approved Residents Redistricting Fee, and if profitable, units a harmful precedent that voters’ decisions will be overruled each time politicians discover it politically handy,” Rankin stated. “Our main concern is safeguarding Californians’ constitutional rights in opposition to partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to determine illustration.”
Dozens of Texas Democrats fled their state and went to Chicago and New York on Sunday night time in an effort to dam a redistricting vote on Monday.
TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WAR
Texas Democrats stood subsequent to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox Information)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they don’t return by Monday afternoon.
Shortly after Abbott launched his assertion, the Texas Home Democratic Caucus issued a easy response, writing: “Come and take it.”
The assertion additionally described Republicans’ proposed districts, which might probably safe 5 new GOP U.S. Home seats in subsequent yr’s midterm elections, as a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”
Abbott criticized the Democrats’ dramatic departure, saying that “actual Texans do not run from a battle.”
On Monday night, Illinois lawmakers hosted Texas Democrats for a press convention, throughout which period not one of the lawmakers took a single query from the press.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott seems to be on throughout a information convention on March 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Photos)
Nonetheless, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-In poor health., welcomed her colleagues and stated they may keep so long as they needed as a result of they believed in what they had been doing.
“What you’re doing and what…they’re making an attempt to do in Texas impacts you guys, nevertheless it impacts the entire nation,” she stated. “Whenever you need to take away 5 Democrats…that hurts us within the Home.”
She defined that when there usually are not sufficient Democrats, issues just like the Huge Stunning Invoice, or as she referred to it as “the Huge Ugly Invoice,” and different Republican initiatives get via.
“They’re making an attempt to destroy our democracy, destroy equity in our nation,” Kelly stated. “And sadly, they’re beginning with Texas. However we would like you to know, we stand by your aspect.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-In poor health., accused Abbott of not stepping up for the folks affected by devastating floods within the Hill Nation area of Texas.
U.S. Consultant Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) solutions questions throughout a information convention concerning the latest Congressional delegation journey to the Indo-Pacific area, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. August 10, 2022. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Picture)
Particularly, he accused Abbott of not having a particular session to assist households rebuild, however as a substitute of doing “the bidding” of President Donald Trump to “banish Democrats” from the federal delegation.
Krishnamoorthi then directed his feedback to Abbott, saying, “do not mess with Texas,” as a result of the folks standing with him characterize Texas.
“You may silence them. You may smear them. You may saddle them with money owed and fins. However you can’t intimidate them,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “You may gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that sport. That’s proper. Different states will do precisely the identical factor and neutralize what you’re making an attempt to do in Texas.”
Different lawmakers standing side-by-side in Illinois selected to accuse Trump’s insurance policies of being race-driven.
Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos stated Trump’s insurance policies harm working households.
“That’s nothing wanting racism,” she stated. “He’s coming in any case of us who don’t appear to be him and his Republican colleagues within the Texas Home.”
Trump provides his joint tackle to Congress and is interrupted by Rep Al Inexperienced protesting his cuts to a number of authorities packages. March 4th (AP)
Rep. Al Inexperienced, D-Texas, adopted Rodriguez Ramos with extra accusations of racism, saying Republicans are doing what Trump has insisted be achieved.
“I need you to know that we did not introduce the race card when this message was despatched by and thru the Justice Division to the State of Texas, to our legal professional normal,” he stated. “They talked about the race card as a result of they talked about racial gerrymandering. They introduced it up, and after they introduced it up, they did it, realizing that this was a buzz phrase. It was a set off.”
“They know that that’s a buzz phrase that individuals would reply to in Texas, however we’re going to reply to that buzz phrase by telling them that your racism will not be going to alter democracy within the state of Texas,” Inexperienced continued. “In the US of America, racism goes to be met with our taking a stand for democracy. You’re taking a stand for racism, we are going to stand for democracy, and we are going to win.”
Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, stated she was happy that states like California and New York had been standing up for Texas Democrats as a result of, as soon as it occurs in Texas, it is going to unfold to different states.
She known as the difficulty a “nationwide struggle,” and “an all-out struggle” during which every thing is on the desk.
“We come from a state of nice satisfaction, and I by no means thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas Home of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the US Home of Representatives, that I might see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York,” Johnson added. “I by no means thought I might see the day, however right here we’re.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was additionally standing with fellow Democrats in Illinois and accused Abbott of speaking “a whole lot of noise.” She additionally accused Republicans of being “weak.”
“The distinction is that they count on Democrats to type of be the great guys that we’re,” Crockett stated. “They count on us to take the punch and say thanks. Effectively, I’m right here to inform you not solely are we going to punch again, however we about to beat you down.”
Nonetheless, Abbott advised Fox Information host Sean Hannity on Monday that Texas is doing what it’s allowed to do by legislation.
He additionally accused state Democrats of doing one thing “un-Texas” by turning their again on Texans and never coping with the flooding points nonetheless echoing throughout the state.
Abbott stated 4 of the 5 seats that might change due to redistricting will likely be primarily Hispanic.
“These are seats the place Democrats are having to return to grips with actuality,” he stated, explaining that Democrats are dropping votes to Hispanics and Black voters in Texas.
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He additionally stated Democrats are “freaking out” as a result of they’re realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict.
“Texas will proceed to battle for what is true,” Abbott stated.
Fox Information Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
