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California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he is able to combat “hearth with hearth” as state Republican lawmakers attempt to enact redistricting in Texas, opposing the transfer although promising to pursue related measures if wanted.
At a press convention on Monday, Newsom stated he helps unbiased redistricting, in addition to a nationwide framework, and a proposal being superior within the legislature reinforces what he helps.
“The proposal that we’re advancing with the legislature has a set off provided that they transfer ahead, to dismantling the protocols which can be well-established,” the governor stated. “Would the state of California transfer ahead in variety? Combating? Sure, hearth with hearth.”
When requested a couple of assembly between California Democrats on Sunday evening, throughout which period they drafted or had been virtually finished with the draft of redistricting maps, and whether or not he had seen these maps, Newsom stated he had not.
AWOL TEXAS DEMS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION, FELONY CHARGES FOR ABSENCE AMID REDISTRICTING BATTLE
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he was able to combat hearth with hearth if Texas lawmakers approve a measure to enact redistricting within the state. (AP Photograph/Steven Senne)
However he stated there was an ongoing collection of conversations into the night final evening, which continued on Monday morning and can proceed till Democrats land on a course of.
“That course of has to have the concurrence, the help of two-thirds of the legislature,” he stated. “The maps, we imagine, needs to be clear. They need to be supplied in a clear option to the general public, and as a consequence, these maps are being processed and can be delivered to mild.”
On the finish of the day, although, Newsom stated the individuals of California may have the final word say.
“We are going to provide them the chance to make judgments for themselves, once more, provided that Texas strikes ahead,” Newsom stated. “I’ll reinforce that we imagine it needs to be a nationwide mannequin, unbiased nationwide redistricting, and it could revert again to its authentic type, but it surely’s finished in response to the existential realities that we’re now dealing with. Issues have modified, details have modified, so we should change.”
HOCHUL VOWS TO ‘FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE’ ON REDISTRICTING WHILE HOSTING TEXAS DEMOCRATS WHO FLED STATE
Newsom and Trump face off (Pool)
“They’ve triggered this response and we’re not going to roll over and we’re going to combat hearth with hearth, however we’re going to take action not simply punching with the burden of the fourth largest economic system, probably the most populous state in our union, the scale of 21 state populations mixed,” he continued. “We additionally will punch above our weight by way of the influence of what we’re doing, and I feel that needs to be absorbed by these within the Texas delegation. No matter they’re doing can be neutered right here within the state of California, and they’re going to pay that value.”
California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin informed Fox Information Digital that Newsom’s actions may threaten the constitutional rights of Californians whereas additionally setting a harmful precedent.
“Whereas Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive transfer, it undermines California’s nationally revered, voter-approved Residents Redistricting Fee, and if profitable, units a harmful precedent that voters’ selections may be overruled every time politicians discover it politically handy,” Rankin stated. “Our major concern is safeguarding Californians’ constitutional rights in opposition to partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to determine illustration.”
Dozens of Texas Democrats fled their state and went to Chicago and New York on Sunday evening in an effort to dam a redistricting vote on Monday.
TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WAR
Texas Democrats stood subsequent to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox Information)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they don’t return by Monday afternoon.
Shortly after Abbott launched his assertion, the Texas Home Democratic Caucus issued a easy response, writing: “Come and take it.”
The assertion additionally described Republicans’ proposed districts, which might probably safe 5 new GOP U.S. Home seats in subsequent yr’s midterm elections, as a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”
Abbott criticized the Democrats’ dramatic departure, saying that “actual Texans do not run from a combat.”
On Monday night, Illinois lawmakers hosted Texas Democrats for a press convention, throughout which period not one of the lawmakers took a single query from the press.
BETO O’ROURKE DROPS F-BOMB AS HE URGES DEMS TO ‘MEET FIRE WITH FIRE’ AGAINST GOP REDISTRICTING PLANS IN TEXAS
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be like on throughout a information convention on March 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Pictures)
Nonetheless, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ailing., welcomed her colleagues and stated they may keep so long as they wished as a result of they believed in what they had been doing.
“What you’re doing and what…they’re making an attempt to do in Texas impacts you guys, but it surely impacts the entire nation,” she stated. “Whenever you need to take away 5 Democrats…that hurts us within the Home.”
She defined that when there should not sufficient Democrats, issues just like the Large Stunning Invoice, or as she referred to it as “the Large Ugly Invoice,” and different Republican initiatives get by way of.
“They’re making an attempt to destroy our democracy, destroy equity in our nation,” Kelly stated. “And sadly, they’re beginning with Texas. However we would like you to know, we stand by your aspect.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ailing., accused Abbott of not stepping up for the individuals affected by devastating floods within the Hill Nation area of Texas.
BETO O’ROURKE CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE ‘RUTHLESS’ IN PURSUIT OF POWER, BACKS NEWSOM’S GERRYMANDERING PROPOSAL
U.S. Consultant Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) solutions questions throughout a information convention in regards to the latest Congressional delegation journey to the Indo-Pacific area, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. August 10, 2022. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photograph)
Particularly, he accused Abbott of not having a particular session to assist households rebuild, however as a substitute of doing “the bidding” of President Donald Trump to “banish Democrats” from the federal delegation.
Krishnamoorthi then directed his feedback to Abbott, saying, “do not mess with Texas,” as a result of the individuals standing with him signify Texas.
“You may silence them. You may smear them. You may saddle them with money owed and fins. However you can not intimidate them,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “You may gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that recreation. That’s proper. Different states will do precisely the identical factor and neutralize what you’re making an attempt to do in Texas.”
Different lawmakers standing side-by-side in Illinois selected to accuse Trump’s insurance policies of being race-driven.
Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos stated Trump’s insurance policies damage working households.
“That’s nothing in need of racism,” she stated. “He’s coming in spite of everything of us who don’t seem like him and his Republican colleagues within the Texas Home.”
Trump offers his joint tackle to Congress and is interrupted by Rep Al Inexperienced protesting his cuts to a number of authorities packages. March 4th (AP)
Rep. Al Inexperienced, D-Texas, adopted Rodriguez Ramos with extra accusations of racism, saying Republicans are doing what Trump has insisted be finished.
“I need you to know that we did not introduce the race card when this message was despatched by and thru the Justice Division to the State of Texas, to our legal professional normal,” he stated. “They talked about the race card as a result of they talked about racial gerrymandering. They introduced it up, and once they introduced it up, they did it, realizing that this was a buzz phrase. It was a set off.”
“They know that that’s a buzz phrase that folks would reply to in Texas, however we’re going to reply to that buzz phrase by telling them that your racism shouldn’t be going to alter democracy within the state of Texas,” Inexperienced continued. “In the US of America, racism goes to be met with our taking a stand for democracy. You’re taking a stand for racism, we are going to stand for democracy, and we are going to win.”
Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, stated she was happy that states like California and New York had been standing up for Texas Democrats as a result of, as soon as it occurs in Texas, it would unfold to different states.
She referred to as the problem a “nationwide struggle,” and “an all-out struggle” through which all the pieces is on the desk.
“We come from a state of nice pleasure, and I by no means thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas Home of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the US Home of Representatives, that I might see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York,” Johnson added. “I by no means thought I would see the day, however right here we’re.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was additionally standing with fellow Democrats in Illinois and accused Abbott of speaking “a number of noise.” She additionally accused Republicans of being “weak.”
“The distinction is that they anticipate Democrats to sort of be the great guys that we’re,” Crockett stated. “They anticipate us to take the punch and say thanks. Properly, I’m right here to let you know not solely are we going to punch again, however we about to beat you down.”
Nonetheless, Abbott informed Fox Information host Sean Hannity on Monday that Texas is doing what it’s allowed to do by legislation.
He additionally accused state Democrats of doing one thing “un-Texas” by turning their again on Texans and never coping with the flooding points nonetheless echoing throughout the state.
Abbott stated 4 of the 5 seats that might change due to redistricting can be primarily Hispanic.
“These are seats the place Democrats are having to return to grips with actuality,” he stated, explaining that Democrats are shedding votes to Hispanics and Black voters in Texas.
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He additionally stated Democrats are “freaking out” as a result of they’re realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict.
“Texas will proceed to combat for what is true,” Abbott stated.
Fox Information Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking information reporter for Fox Information Digital.
Story suggestions and concepts may be despatched to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
