California’s Governor Gavin Newsom – to me, the Guy Smiley of American politics – has informed us that he is attempting to redistrict his state to neutralize what Governor Greg Abbott is doing in Texas. His admonition to Abbott:
“If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states.”
That so?
Remember: this only makes sense if California’s current districting is fair and proportional. If that is the case, Newsom’s redistricting would offset Texas by making it as disproportionate as Texas will be if Abbott can accomplish his “five more Republican districts” effort.
Well, let’s take a look at California’s congressional makeup and see.
California has 52 seats in the House of Representatives. And in the 2024 elections, Californians voted about 58% Democrat to 38% Republican (the rest were minor parties) – a 60% – 40% split.
Therefore, if California were districted proportionately, Democrats would hold about 31 – 32 House seats, and Republicans would hold about 20 – 21 House seats, give or take a couple.
Except…
…California, RIGHT NOW, BEFORE before Gavin Newsom tries to skew the state more Democrat, has 43 Democrat seats and 9 Republican seats.
That’s right. RIGHT NOW, BEFORE Gavin Newsom’s gyrations, instead of a proportionately correct 60% – 40% majority, Democrats have an 83% – 17% majority.
In other words, it isn’t Gavin Newsom correcting an imbalance that Greg Abbott would create. It is Greg Abbott correcting the imbalance that Gavin Newsom’s party already has and Newsom trying to create an even greater imbalance for his state.
Got it? Good. Now grow old waiting for most of our media to point this easily findable, easily checkable and immensely telling fact to their viewers/readers.
