The California governor's Trump-like social media posts and redistricting push are resonating with Democrats who are eager for a fighter to go on offense against the GOP.

Gavin Newsom is having a moment. In the national struggle over U.S. House control, perhaps no politician has more at stake than the California governor, who has emerged as the leading Democratic adversary to President Donald Trump.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a series of bills calling for new congressional maps that could add up to five Democratic seats in Congress, a response to an ongoing, Trump-led effort in Texas to use redistricting there to carve out five additional GOP seats.

The vote targets congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms in a state where shifts could change control of the House of Representatives.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) took another swing at Texas Republicans amid the mid-decade redistricting battle, accusing them of “cowering” to President Trump. “Look at these

California Governor Gavin Newsom is throwing political haymakers, threatening to “punch” Donald Trump in the face while torching Texas Republicans over what he called “radical election rigging.” According to Reuters,

Texas Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier left a call with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic Party members after claiming she was told she was committing a felony.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants voters to approve congressional districts that would wipe out five Republican seats. He's trying to counter a GOP gerrymander in Texas.

Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives returned to Austin on Aug. 18, 2025, but their protest of redistricting efforts continues.