Texas Lawmakers Sue California Over Rezoning Bill

In a fresh twist in the ongoing rezoning clash between Democrats and Republicans, lawmakers from Texas are taking legal action against California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. They claim the rezoning bill he signed in August is “unconstitutional and retaliatory.”

The lawsuit, spearheaded by Rep. Ronnie Jackson from Northern Texas, refers to the legislation as the “Election Rigging Response Act.” This act, he argues, emerged as a reaction to Texas’ own attempts at rezoning.

The legal filing names Newsom along with California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Jackson’s goal is to potentially nullify a Texas law aimed at changing party affiliation, which has support from former President Donald Trump. The law was set to be voted on in November. Meanwhile, he is also trying to challenge Newsom’s California law that seems geared toward bolstering Democratic representation.

Jackson asserts that the changes in California could shift Congressional power in ways that would negatively impact Texans. He warned that if California’s plan succeeds, Democrats might seize additional seats in California for the 2026 elections, tipping the majority balance in 2027.

In response, Newsom’s office has suggested that GOP leaders “don’t deserve to keep an office.”

Jackson contends that when California enacted its district plan, it not only undermined the integrity of elections but also violated its own state constitution, which prohibits manipulating district lines to favor political parties.

He claimed that Texas has adhered to its state constitutional guidelines, while California has strayed from them, desperate to secure wins for President Trump and the upcoming 2026 midterms. Jackson described Newsom’s push as a betrayal of the trust placed in him by Californians.

In his words, “Gavin Newsom’s obsession with undermining President Trump has turned him into a lawless figure, disregarding California’s constitution and betraying the public’s trust.” He regrettably noted how this situation reflects poorly on the political landscape.

Meanwhile, Newsom faces pushback from Republicans, reportedly racking up over $230 million in backlash after dismissing his own recall as a “waste.”

In a statement about his legal stance, Jackson emphasized his commitment to Texas voters and criticized Newsom for allegedly weaponizing his position and disregarding the will of the people.

As for Newsom, he recently signed a controversial bill permitting voters to determine whether to overturn existing Congressional maps designed by an independent committee. This move seems part of a broader strategy by California’s Democratic leadership to construct a districting system more aligned with their electoral goals.

In his remarks at a press briefing following the passage of the bill, Newsom took a jab at Trump, labeling him as “one of the least popular presidents in U.S. history” and predicting a favorable outcome for Democrats in the upcoming elections.