House Democrats Ready to Redistrict California

[applegrove]

House Democrats Ready to Redistrict California

July 17, 2025 at 5:36 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 32 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2025/07/17/house-democrats-ready-to-redistrict-california/

“California Democrats are charging ahead with an ambitious and potentially expensive plan to squeeze between five and seven more Democratic seats out of their congressional map,” Punchbowl News reports.

“The goal: To offset the Republican redistricting in Texas — and potentially elsewhere — and win the House majority next year.”

“California Democrats were overwhelmingly on board with drawing a new map, but members want input in how the lines are drawn.”

Said Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA): “We’re ready. If Texas goes, we are going.”

[SSJVegeta]

1. Folks dont realize that a hardcore california redistrict alone could create a 7-8 seat gain.

But they will soon

[FBaggins]

4. Not a chance

You can’t have negative seats

[SSJVegeta]

7. Woah! Ive been living in the early 2000s when there were close to 20 republicans

My new edited estimate is probably more likely.

But man. GOPs been getting destroyed in CA?

[FBaggins]

9. Even 5-7 is dramatically optimistic

They only have nine seats currently… and only two of them were won by less than ten points.

OTOH… we had something like eight seats that fit that description… four (IIRC that we won by less than three points). The reasons congressional dems are saying they want input is that several of them are worried that their own seats would endangered

If we DID try to redraw the lines now… it would be far more important to shore up those that we just picked up that took weeks past election night to win. Trying to extend those gains would be dangerous

And that’s if it’s even possible (see my post below - the current constitution runs the process through an independent commission - that requires at least one Republican appointee to vote for any change)

[SSJVegeta]

10. Yeah it was avoter approved amendment. Would need to go through some hurdles to make it happen

But still, if there were a year to weaken some incumbents to ensure all seats go Dem? This might not be the worst one. MA is proabbly not comparable, but theyve been able to hang on to an all D delegation for a bit...

[senseandsensibility]

5. Yes as a Native Californian

I am amazed at how little the corporate media (which is extremely Eastcoast centric), knows about the largest state in the union. I am glad Newsom is playing hardball.

[markodochartaigh]

2. Now if

New York state could find a way around the court that overruled the legislators last time, we would have a more even playing field.

[murielm99]

11. Illinois could help.

We have two Democratic senators and a majority of house seats are ours. We have a supermajority in our statehouse. C'mon, Pritzker. See what you can do to help.

[calikid]

3. Great news, it's about time! nt

[Retrograde]

6. Is she proposing ignoring California's redistricting commission?

California uses a commission to do redistricting, comprised of a mix of citizens, not the state legislature. It was voted into law by a proposition IIRC, and has been working for the last several cycles. Having more Democratic representatives is a good thing, but ignoring current law and the will of the voters sounds, well, like something the GOP would do.

[FBaggins]

8. "House Democrats" don't have the power to do that

California draws line with an independent commission

The state legislature would have to amend the state constitution with a 2/3 majority in both chambers and then the voters would have to approve (presumably a special election)