California Democrats are gearing up to retaliate against Texas if Republicans in the state enact a new congressional district map, but they’re emphasizing that their willingness to engage in the redistricting battle is conditioned on Texas making the first move.
Democrats and Republicans are currently in a standoff as Texas Democratic lawmakers have fled to other states to deny state GOP lawmakers the quorum they need to approve a new map. But several blue states, including California, are positioning themselves to reciprocate.
“Californians shouldn’t be disadvantaged by partisan maneuvers in other states. I’m reassured that our proposal is only triggered if Texas actually follows through on its changes,” California state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, the former chair of the state Senate committee with jurisdiction over elections, wrote to NOTUS in a statement. “If they go low, we have no choice but to respond in kind. California didn’t start this fight, but we must fight back.”