‘That’s Out The Window’: California Already Moving To Retaliate Over New Texas Congressional Map

As of Thursday morning — less than 24 hours after Texas Republicans passed a new congressional map that could net them five additional seats — California legislators had already begun their retaliation.

The state’s new redistricting ballot measure legislation, updated Thursday morning, would allow any new map passed by California’s legislature to stand regardless of new maps passed by other states, according to a report from California Capitol Correspondent Ashley Zavala of KCRA News.

“California Democrats in Assembly this AM changed the state’s Redistricting ballot measure legislation, which basically now allows new Congressional maps to go into effect NO MATTER what other states do. Even if Texas backtracks or courts strike it down, CA would have new maps,” Zavala posted along with screenshots of the legislation in question.

NEW: California Democrats in Assembly this AM changed the state’s Redistricting ballot measure legislation, which basically now allows new Congressional maps to go into effect NO MATTER what other states do.

Even if Texas backtracks or courts strike it down, CA would have new… pic.twitter.com/eVJ5imy6S3

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) August 21, 2025

Zavala also noted that Governor Gavin Newsom had said only a month earlier that California would have “no need” to move ahead with a retaliatory map if Texas did not pass the new one as planned — but the new plan appeared to be to forge ahead even if the courts put an end to the Texas map.

“Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom told me if Texas didn’t move forward, California would have ‘no need’ to change Congressional maps. Apparently, that’s out the window,” she posted, sharing video of Newsom’s previous statement.

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom told me if Texas didn’t move forward, California would have “no need” to change Congressional maps.

Apparently, that’s out the window. https://t.co/K5yGXjlxH7 pic.twitter.com/uRy2AWFCsT

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) August 21, 2025

The Gavin Newsom Press Office account, which appears to exist primarily to troll President Donald Trump, followed with a declaration: “TODAY WE WILL MAKE THE MAPS GREAT AGAIN!”

TODAY WE WILL MAKE THE MAPS GREAT AGAIN!

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 21, 2025

If California follows through with threats to redraw congressional districts favoring Democrats even more than they already do, several other states may also jump into the fray. Among them are: Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida. Even Illinois — a state that already redistricted Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s (R-IL) House seat out of existence — might also get involved.