California Democrats prepare counteroffensive to Texas GOP redistricting push

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- California Democrats are rapidly advancing a plan to retaliate against Texas Republicans' proposed congressional maps, which could eliminate five Democratic seats in the U.S. House.

At the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, state and federal Democratic leaders are preparing new maps that would add five likely Democratic districts - a move that Newsom said would only be triggered if Texas Republicans approve their own redistricting plan. Newsom said Monday the proposal could appear on the Nov. 4 special election ballot.

RELATED: CA lawmakers' new congressional maps are almost ready amid Texas redistricting showdown, sources say

"It's triggered on the basis of what occurs or doesn't occur in Texas," Newsom said.

While the governor declined to share specifics about the maps, two congressional sources familiar with the plans told ABC7 News on Tuesday that the new California maps could target five Republican incumbents: Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao, Kevin Calvert, and Darrell Issa.

"They're trying to target Republicans who've been critical of what Democrats have done here in California," said Hector Barajas, spokesperson for the California Republican Party.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, said he's not worried about his own seat but is concerned about the broader implications.

"I won my last race by 46,000 votes," Kiley said. "But I'm very concerned about democracy in our state and representative government. And the consequences of pursuing this incredibly misguided scheme."

Kiley is also introducing federal legislation that would ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide.

RELATED: Newsom calls GOP's push to redraw TX congressional maps an 'existential crisis to democracy'

"This is potentially igniting a redistricting war," Kiley said. "We can't have a redistricting war. We have bigger issues to worry about as a country. This isn't healthy for our democracy."

Unlike Texas, where lawmakers have direct redistricting authority, California voters approved an independent redistricting commission in 2008 to remove partisanship from the process. Newsom emphasized that any new maps after 2030 would still operate within that framework.

"The ultimate test of transparency is what voters will decide in full light of day," Newsom said. "Completely public. They will have the opportunity to review those maps."

ABC7 News spoke with redistricting expert Paul Mitchell last week, who cautioned that even with gerrymandering, no seats are guaranteed until voters weigh in during the 2026 midterms.

"We know there's an incumbent advantage," Mitchell said. "You don't get to just draw a district on paper and say it's a Republican seat."

Meanwhile, Republican grassroots efforts are already mobilizing to challenge the proposal. GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said he plans to sue Newsom if the plan moves forward. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charles Munger Jr., a major GOP donor, are also preparing to campaign against it.

California state lawmakers are on summer recess but return on Aug. 18. If they want to get this measure on the November ballot, they'll have just days to finalize the new maps, hold hearings to get public input, and tweak the ballot language.