Governor Abbott’s Response to California’s Redistricting Plans

Texas Governor Greg Abbott made it clear in a conversation with CNN’s Jake Tapper that he is prepared to act if California Governor Gavin Newsom attempts to manipulate Democratic representation through redistricting efforts.

Recent events saw Texas Democrats leaving for states like New York and Illinois, which are under Democratic control, to prevent Texas lawmakers from convening for special sessions. These sessions are aimed at discussing a redistricting strategy that could potentially secure up to five additional seats for Republicans in the U.S. House. Abbott was questioned by Tapper regarding Newsom’s plans and the potential for similar stratagems in Texas.

“Let’s be clear—those major blue states have been gerrymandering for quite some time,” Abbott stated. “Just look at Illinois, California, New York, and Massachusetts. They’ve been at it for a while now.”

Abbott continued, “They’re running out of options. If California decides to gerrymander five more districts, Texas is capable of cutting down ten Democrats in our state. They don’t have as many Republican districts, so they can keep trying their tactics.”

Post-2024 elections, California’s representation stands at 43 Democrats and nine Republicans, according to data from Ballotpedia.

Following the 2022 midterms, New York adjusted its Congressional districts, resulting in a configuration where Republicans originally held six out of eleven seats. After the 2024 elections were finalized, Democrats ended up with seven seats after winning a special election following the removal of Republican Rep. George Santos.

In Illinois, Democrats are set to reconfigure their Congressional districts to bring in two Republican representatives, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, known for his outspoken criticism of President Trump. The state shifted from thirteen Democrats and five Republicans to fourteen Democrats and three Republicans following the 2022 midterms.