Texas Congressman Sues California Governor Over Redistricting Bill

In a significant development in the ongoing redistricting battle between Democrats and Republicans, Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson has filed a lawsuit against California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom over a redistricting bill that Jackson deems “unconstitutional and retaliatory.” The bill in question, known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” was signed by Newsom in August as a response to Texas’ redistricting plans.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleges that the California redistricting law is specifically targeted against Texas, its citizens, and its congressional delegation. Jackson is seeking to block the implementation of the law, which he argues is designed to favor Democrats and undermine the recently passed Texas redistricting law supported by former President Donald Trump.

The lawsuit names Newsom and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber as defendants. Jackson contends that California’s redistricting scheme violates the U.S. Constitution by altering Congress’s power dynamics in a way that harms Texas citizens and could potentially impact the majority in 2027.

Newsom’s Alleged Violation of California Constitution

According to Jackson, California’s redistricting law violates its own state constitution, which entrusts redistricting to an independent Citizens Commission and prohibits drawing districts to favor or discriminate against a political party. He accuses California of attempting to undercut President Trump ahead of the 2026 midterms by passing a law that goes against its own constitutional provisions.

In response to the lawsuit, Jackson’s office stated that while Texas followed its state constitution in the redistricting process, California’s actions represent a desperate attempt to undermine the former president. Jackson, a retired Navy rear admiral who served as Trump’s physician, criticized Newsom for his alleged partisan motives and disregard for the law.

Newsom’s Response and Potential Impact

Newsom’s office has not yet responded to the lawsuit. In August, Newsom signed a set of bills that would allow voters to decide whether to overturn existing congressional maps and replace the state’s independent redistricting commission with a more partisan one. The bills are part of an effort to nullify Texas’ new congressional map with a map favored by Democrats.

Speaking after the bills’ passage, Newsom criticized Trump and predicted a Democratic victory in the upcoming election. The special election on November 4 will determine whether California voters support the new redistricting plan proposed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

As the legal battle between Jackson and Newsom unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress and the future of redistricting processes in both Texas and California.