Texas, California Race to Redraw Electoral Maps

Republican and Democratic States in a Battle to Tilt Outcome of Midterm Elections

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LOS ANGELES — Republican-controlled Texas and Democrat-run California forged ahead on Aug. 21 with creating new congressional maps, in a cut-throat struggle to tilt the outcome of the 2026 US midterm elections.

The battle between the country's two largest states was set off by President Donald Trump's drive to protect the thin Republican majority in the US House of Representatives and avoid becoming mired in Democrat-initiated investigations from 2027.

Under pressure from Mr. Trump, Texas fired the starting gun in a tussle that pro-democracy activists warn could spread nationwide. Its state House on Aug. 20 approved new congressional boundaries that would likely eke out five extra Republican districts.

The state Senate was expected to green-light the bill on the morning of Aug. 22 and send it to Governor Greg Abbott for a signature.

California Governor Gavin Newsom — an early front runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination — struck back with a plan for a new map that would likely cancel out Texas' move by adding five Democratic seats.

The state's legislature on Aug. 21 overwhelmingly approved the plan, with thumping majorities in the House and the Senate, both of which are Democrat controlled.