California to Propose Dividing into Two States
In a significant move, top Republicans in the California legislature plan to introduce a bill on Wednesday that aims to split the state into two separate entities, reflecting the ongoing rezoning efforts by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Assemblyman James Gallagher’s proposal, known as AJR-23, seeks to create a new state that would merge the liberal coastal regions with the more conservative inland counties. Gallagher, representing R-Yuba City, referred to this plan as a “two-state solution”—a term often associated with international conflicts, which has sparked varied reactions.
“People in inland California have been overlooked for far too long. It’s time for a two-state solution,” Gallagher stated.
This resolution aligns with Sacramento’s attempts to permanently alter California’s congressional district map. There has been some political tension, particularly with Republicans reacting to Newsom’s strategies.
While the overall political power of California may decline, the proposed “inland” region would emerge as one of the largest conservative states in the nation. The new coastal state would retain many prominent liberal areas, including cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley, along with more moderate spots like Orange County and San Diego County.
Earlier this month, Senate Republican leader Brian Jones criticized Newsom, suggesting that the governor had not been selected to support local reforms. Instead, he believes Newsom should focus on solving state-level issues.
Gallagher’s home county, Sutter, would fall into this new conservative inland state, which notably encompasses areas like Truckee and parts of the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino and Riverside.
The plan suggests that the coastal state would consist of 17 counties, housing approximately 29.5 million people, while the inland state would support around 10 million residents. As a result, California’s coastal areas could see a population decrease with Texas expected to surpass as the nation’s most populous state.
Gallagher has been vocal in denouncing Newsom’s actions, criticizing what he describes as a manipulation of districting processes. He argues that political boundaries should reflect the voters’ choices rather than be manipulated for partisan advantage.
“Californians should be the ones to choose their representatives, not the other way around,” Gallagher argued.
In a forthcoming press conference set for 10 a.m. in Sacramento, Gallagher plans to elaborate further on his proposal and its implications for California’s political landscape.
