California Governor Gavin Newsom took a sharp swipe at Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday as tensions flared over Texas Republicans’ proposed congressional redistricting plan, which would eliminate five Democratic-held seats.
After Texas Republicans unveiled their first draft map, Vance posted on social media slamming California’s district lines instead. “Of their 52 congressional districts, 9 are Republican,” he wrote. “That means 17% of their delegation is Republican, when Republicans regularly win 40% of the vote in that state. How can this possibly be allowed?”
Newsom didn’t hold back in his response. Sharing a graphic highlighting the most gerrymandered states—all Republican-led—Newsom called out Vance’s own home state of Ohio, as well as Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kentucky. “Try again, dumb dumb,” he quipped in his post.
Earlier that day, Newsom issued a direct warning if Texas proceeds with its plan: “Donald Trump asks for 5 seats and Greg Abbott automatically bends the knee. The 2026 election is being rigged. California won’t sit back and watch this happen.”
Newsom has emerged as one of the leading Democratic voices challenging the redistricting effort, alongside others like New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elissa Slotkin.
The Texas GOP’s map specifically targets districts in key Democratic strongholds, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, and South Texas, according to The Texas Tribune.
In response, Texas Democrats are reportedly preparing for a possible walkout to block the redistricting vote by denying quorum. The plan comes with significant personal risks: lawmakers who leave the state could face $500 daily fines and possible arrest. Since campaign funds can’t legally be used to pay the penalties, outside donors are reportedly stepping in, with estimates suggesting it could cost $1 million per month to sustain the effort.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded by vowing to pursue Democrats who leave the state, offering his office’s assistance in “hunting down and compelling the attendance” of any absent lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is ramping up its own counteroffensive, dispatching thousands of organizers nationwide to combat what they describe as a coordinated GOP attempt to rig congressional maps ahead of 2026.
