The Downballot

California's plan to thwart a Texas gerrymander

Jul 17, 2025
Deb Krishnadasan, a newly appointed Washington State Senator for the 26th legislative district, shares her insights on navigating a competitive political landscape. She discusses the complexities of running in a special election and the significance of California's counter-gerrymandering strategies against Texas Republicans. With an eye on voter sentiment, Deb reveals how Trump's policies sparked local unrest and highlights the importance of grassroots campaigning amid widespread public dissatisfaction.
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INSIGHT

Newsom's Mid-Decade Redistricting

  • Governor Newsom proposes California may redraw maps mid-decade to counter Texas GOP gerrymandering.
  • This approach challenges traditional independent commission rules and may face legal scrutiny.
INSIGHT

Legal Hurdles for Newsom's Plan

  • California Supreme Court previously ruled mid-decade redistricting illegal, complicating Newsom's plan.
  • Newsom calls it a "novel legal question", signaling expected intense litigation.
INSIGHT

National Balance Redistricting Insight

  • Proposing redistricting based on national balance could mitigate unfair gains in gerrymandering.
  • This strategy aligns state maps with overall partisan balance, promoting fairness.
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