Bay Area GOP

Our Citizens Redistricting Commission was required to follow the Constitution and Voting Rights Act in a public process. Newsom skipped all of that in the rush to ram his gerrymandered map through. That's why he's facing a lawsuit in federal court.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing California to block Newsom's Prop. 50 map. This is appropriate. The overthrown Independent Commission was required to begin its map-drawing process by assuring no unlawful racial discrimination. Newsom's map faced no such requirement. If it can be shown that Newsom and the Legislature violated the U.S. Constitution, then the map cannot stand. This, of course, is my preferred outcome, as I'd love to continue representing my beautiful district as currently drawn. However, we cannot count on this. We must be prepared to win races under the Prop. 50 map. Even if the new map were somehow discarded or delayed, that will in no way affect my efforts at redistricting reform. First, I will be using every tool available to pass a ban on mid-decade redistricting to end the current arms race. Second, I'll be introducing legislation to end gerrymandering nationwide by the time of the next Census.

I want to thank everyone who has reached out about my plans for next year in the wake of Prop. 50. While I will be running for reelection to the House, it's going to take time to figure out in which of the newly drawn districts. My current district has been chopped into six different pieces, creating an agonizing choice I never thought I'd have to make, as there is no way I can continue to represent all or even most of my constituents. The good news is I will remain the Representative for the existing Third District until my current term expires. That means I will have the honor to serve all of my constituents until January of 2027. And that will be my priority: to represent the amazing communities that elected me last year, and to continue fighting to restore common sense in California. I expect the decision as to the 2026 election will be something that percolates in the back of my mind in the weeks ahead as I have conversations with people throughout my district. I welcome everyone's feedback as to what is the best course. *I'll note that the success of a federal legal challenge, or the passage of my legislation to bar mid-decade redistricting, would preserve the existing map and obviate this dilemma.