California releases proposed Congressional maps in response to Texas gerrymandering

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – California voters are getting their first look at newly proposed redrawn congressional district maps. 

The California State Assembly Committee on Elections has officially released a map of what California’s congressional districts could look like if approved by voters this November. 

Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to fight back after Republicans in Texas began their attempt to redraw districts in the Lone Star state to pick up more GOP seats. 

Newsom’s effort would suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission temporarily. The commission has twice been approved by voters, in an attempt to keep drawing district lines out of the hands of lawmakers. 

At first glance, the district lines may look similar for many districts across the state and in the Central Valley. 

Those looking at California’s 22nd Congressional District, a seat currently represented by Republican David Valadao, can see the changes.

As of now, the district doesn’t go north of Hanford. The proposed map moves the boundaries north and includes much of western Fresno County. Valadao currently represents a district that has more registered Democrats than Republicans, but Valadao has managed to keep his seat over the past few cycles and widen the margin between him and his opponent.

In 2024, Valadao won against Democrat Rudy Salas with 89,484 votes to Salas’ 78,023. In 2022, Valadao won by only a margin of just over 3,000 votes. 

District 5 is currently represented by Republican Tom McClintock. The current boundaries include a small portion of the city of Fresno, but mainly cover much of our Sierra Nevada foothills. The district looks dramatically different, with the proposed boundary now extending all the way to the Eastern Sierra and the Nevada state border. 

California’s 13^th Congressional District would also undergo changes if the proposal is approved. The district is currently represented by freshman Democratic Congressman Adam Gray. Gray won his seat against one-term incumbent Republican John Duarte by a mere 187 votes. The proposed changes would extend the district up to Stockton. 

For Governor Newsom’s redistricting plan to advance, the state legislature needs to act fast in the coming week. Lawmakers need to review the maps, and by Thursday, both houses of the legislature will officially vote on the maps and call a Nov. 4 special election. 

California Republicans are speaking out against the plan. Representative Vice Fong, who was newly elected to CA-20, released this statement. 

Californians won’t stand for Gavin Newsom’s scheme to scrap the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for his own political gain. His Sacramento power grab shreds constitutional safeguards and defies the will of the voters. I will work with community leaders across the Central Valley and California to vigorously oppose these new maps—drawn by D.C. political operatives without public input—designed to silence the voices of Californians. 
Representative Vince Fong

A GOP strategist said many republicans feel optimistic about beating this in November.