When California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his plan to retaliate if Republican-led Texas redrew its congressional districts to favor the GOP, he affirmed his support for less partisan maps — and then promised to “meet fire with fire.

So did California Democrats, especially Gov. Gavin Newsom. In a matter of weeks, they bluffed themselves into the marquee political contest of Trump’s second term, a high-voltage fight to shape the outcome of the 2026 midterms and the remaining years of his presidency.

After a day of vigorous debates punctuated by occasional applause, both houses of the California Legislature Thursday passed the three bills making up the congressional redistricting plan. Votes were along party lines,

The bill is scheduled to hit the California legislature's election committee on Tuesday, then the appropriations committee Wednesday. If it passes those committees, a full vote by both houses will need to happen by Thursday to meet California's secretary of state deadline to get the initiative on a Nov. 4 special election ballot.

California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature formally approved a plan Thursday to redraw the state’s congressional lines, teeing up a special election this fall that will

California Republicans pressed Democrats over the transparency and cost of the proposed redistricting measure.

The action in California comes in response to a Republican-led move in Texas to draw a congressional map more favorable to the GOP.

California Republicans sue to stop Democrat redistricting push as Texas GOP advances similar map changes in high-stakes congressional battle ahead of midterms.

How much will Newsom's redistricting special election cost California? As of right now, it's unclear. The Legislature has not earmarked funds or identified an official estimated cost.

California Democrats may have successfully muscled a new congressional map through the state legislature this week, but the redistricting fight in the Golden State is only just beginning.