National poll: Majority of Democrats back California's effort to counter Texas despite claims of hating gerrymandering
As Texas Republicans move this week to craft new districts, California's Democratic-dominated Legislature is expected to vote today to put a map that would help Democrats flip House seats on a Nov. 4 special election ballot for voter approval.
Newsom has advanced the plan in concert with national Democrats and party luminaries, calling it a bulwark against Trump seizing more power.
Obama lauded California's gambit as a 'responsible approach' during a Tuesday fundraiser at Martha's Vineyard. On Wednesday, Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin joined Newsom, New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker and Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier on a call rallying support for California's ballot measure.
'This isn't just about California,' Martin said, calling the initiative 'a national moment for Democrats to show up for all voters.'
Majorities of Democratic and Republican voters consider gerrymandering generally unacceptable — but Democrats and those who voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris were five times as likely as their Republican counterparts to say California Democrats should match Texas Republicans.
That breakdown aligns with Newsom and allies' campaign strategy as they try to energize their base and persuade left-leaning voters in the state to suspend the work of a popular independent commission through the 2030 cycle. The campaign is already presenting the initiative as disempowered Democrats' best chance to retake the House and thwart Trump's agenda.
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