Democratic governors push for response ‘in kind’ to GOP redistricting
Democratic governors are calling for a strong, reciprocal response to texas Republicans’ Trump-backed redistricting efforts aimed at strengthening the House Republicans’ slim majority.Led by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, the Democratic Governors Association urges members to actively oppose these efforts, rejecting unilateral disarmament. Texas Republicans recently proposed a congressional map targeting several Democratic-held seats for the upcoming midterms. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans for a november special election to let voters decide on redistricting measures favoring Democrats. Other Democratic governors expressed support for such countermeasures, emphasizing the need to stand up against what thay see as unconstitutional gerrymandering efforts. They also criticized cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs included in a GOP-backed megabill signed by former President Trump. States like Florida and New york are also contemplating redrawing legislative maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Democratic governors push for response ‘in kind’ to Trump-backed redistricting efforts
The Democratic Governors Association on Friday called for an aggressive retaliatory response that matches Texas‘s redistricting efforts designed to build the House Republicans’ narrow majority.
Gov. Laura Kelly (D-KS), who leads the organization, urged her peers to actively oppose the Trump-backed efforts to redraw Texas’s congressional districts.
“It’s incumbent upon Democrat governors, if they have the opportunity, to respond in kind,” Kelly said at a Democratic Governors Association meeting. “I’m not a big believer in unilateral disarmament.”
On Wednesday, Texas Republicans released their proposed congressional map to flip five House seats held by Democrats in next year’s midterm elections. The plan, which is not yet finalized, targets seats won by Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), among others.
One day later, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced his own plan to counteract Republicans’ efforts by seeking a November special election in which California voters could decide whether to redistrict the state’s House seats to benefit Democrats.
None of the Democratic governors at Friday’s event specifically said they would pursue a plan like Newsom’s but noted they support those governors who can do so. Kelly was joined by Govs. Tim Walz (D-MN), Tony Evers (D-WI), Andy Beshear (D-KY), and Daniel McKee (D-RI) at the Democratic Governors Association press conference. Newsom was not present.
“This move is unconstitutional. It’s again breaking the system. It’s, again, meant to game the system,” Walz said. “Democrats are expected to have the decorum — we’re expected to protect the institutions, we’re expected to follow the rules on this.”
However, he argued that Democratic states should stand up to the Trump administration.
“We’re not playing with a normal administration,” Walz added. “We’re playing with one that has thrown all the rules out of there. … I think it is incumbent upon states that have the capacity or the ability to make sure that we are responding in kind.”
Likewise, Evers expressed outrage at the GOP redistricting efforts backed by the White House.
“I’m really pissed frankly, and we’re going to do whatever we can do to stop this,” Evers said, despite previously campaigning to end partisan gerrymandering. He noted Wisconsin would not change its maps because he had worked hard to sign “fair maps” into law last year.
“Because of those fair maps that we had, we were able to pass a relatively bipartisan budget, and it was a good budget, and so, in my heart of hearts, this is where we have to be,” Evers added. But he noted, “When you have a gun up against your head, you gotta do something.”
The governors in attendance also criticized the GOP-led megabill that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, particularly over its cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Trump administration is facing lawsuits from Democratic states over major changes to both federal programs.
Beyond Texas and California, Florida and New York are some of the states considering redrawing their legislative maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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