Morning Joe California voters will decide whether to adopt a new Democratic-drawn congressional map
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Aug 22, 2025 
Katty Kay, a U.S. special correspondent for BBC News and host of Rest The is Politics, discusses the impact of new Democratic-drawn congressional maps on California's political landscape. Angie Lassman, a meteorologist, provides insights on the upcoming hurricane forecasts. The conversation dives into the implications of gerrymandering for voter representation, contrasting California's strategies with Texas. They also touch on the tension between political redistricting and historical narratives, shedding light on current cultural controversies.
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Veteran Congressman Threatens Retirement
- Lloyd Doggett announced he'll retire if Texas' new GOP map forcing a primary against Greg Kasar takes effect.
- He prefers stepping aside to a generational primary unless courts block the map.
California's Strategic Redistricting Response
- California passed Democratic-drawn redistricting bills to counter GOP mid-decade maps in Texas and set a voter referendum for Nov 4.
- Governor Gavin Newsom framed it as neutralizing Texas moves and preserving Democratic leverage in Congress.
Gerrymander Arms Race Explained
- Both parties now openly pursue mid-decade redistricting as an 'arms race' to protect majorities after the Supreme Court limited partisan challenges.
- The Wall Street Journal and panelists note this escalates gerrymandering and risks reducing political competition nationwide.