California Republicans Propose Splitting the State in Two to Fight ‘Gavinmander’ Redistricting Plan
GOP Floats “Two-State Solution” Amid Escalating Redistricting Battle
California Republicans are making waves with a bold — and highly unlikely — proposal to split the state in two, in response to a Democratic-led redistricting push they say is aimed at rigging congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal, introduced on Wednesday by Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, seeks to divide California vertically, separating the liberal coastal cities from the more conservative inland and rural regions.
Gallagher’s resolution is largely symbolic, with no real path to passage, but it underscores the intensifying partisan war over who controls the House of Representatives — and how state boundaries and congressional maps can shape that outcome.
The “Two-State Solution” — Political Theater or Serious Statement?
Borrowing a term more commonly associated with international diplomacy, Gallagher called his proposal a “two-state solution” for Californians who feel politically abandoned.
“Whether you are from the north state, Central Valley, or the Inland Empire, life has become harder and completely unaffordable,” Gallagher said in a statement.
“We’ve been overlooked for far too long, and now they’re trying to rip away what little representation we have left.”
The plan would create a new inland state with over 10 million residents, making it one of the ten most populous states in the U.S.
Gallagher argued the initiative is a direct response to the Democrats’ redistricting measure, which aims to redraw California’s congressional boundaries to favor Democratic candidates — a move Republicans have dubbed the “Gavinmander”, a play on Governor Gavin Newsom’s name.
Redistricting War: California vs Texas
At the heart of the proposal is a fierce political tit-for-tat between red and blue states.
Democrats in California are trying to override the state constitution to redraw congressional maps in their favor — a direct counter to Republican-led gerrymandering in Texas, championed by former President Donald Trump.
Democrats say the move is necessary to rebalance power after Texas redrew its maps to lock in Republican advantages.
But Gallagher and other GOP leaders see California’s plan as just another power grab — one that will “silence rural voices and rig the political system against them forever.”
Democrats Fire Back: “This Is a Joke”
The response from California Democrats was swift — and scathing.
“A person who seeks to split California does not deserve to hold office in the Golden State,” said a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom.
“This is a stunt that will go nowhere.”
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’ spokesperson, Nick Miller, added fuel to the fire with some wordplay of his own, calling the resolution a “James Gallamander” — a jab at Gallagher’s attempt to create a map that clearly favors Republican territory.
“Assembly Republicans say they oppose gerrymandering but just drew this joke of a map,” Miller said.
Redrawing the Map — and the Rules
California’s Democratic-controlled legislature recently approved a sweeping redistricting bill that would add five new Democratic seats in the U.S. House — the same number of seats Trump and Texas Republicans are targeting with their own maps.
Both states’ original maps were supposed to last until 2030, following the 2020 Census, but both sides are now trying to rewrite the rules.
In California, the redistricting changes still need voter approval. A special election in November 2025 will decide whether the legislature can move forward with its proposed map.
Voters Could Decide the Future of California’s Map
The redistricting measure will appear on the ballot this November, and the outcome could reshape California’s political landscape — and influence control of Congress in 2026.
According to a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, conducted for the Los Angeles Times:
- 46% of voters support the redistricting plan
- 36% oppose it
- 48% say they would vote yes if the measure is on the ballot
Those numbers suggest the vote could be close — and highly consequential.
More Than a Stunt?
While Gallagher’s “two-state solution” has no chance of becoming law, it signals a strategic shift in messaging for California Republicans.
Rather than just opposing the redistricting plan, they’re trying to galvanize voters in rural and inland areas who feel increasingly alienated from Sacramento’s liberal policies.
Whether the plan gets traction or fizzles out, it reflects growing frustration among Republican voters who believe they’re being written off — and growing determination by Democrats to counteract GOP gerrymandering across the country.
Final Thoughts
This proposal won’t split California in two — but it might split voters even further. As both parties play hardball with congressional maps, the once-a-decade redistricting process is becoming a never-ending battle, with voters caught in the middle.
And in this battle of maps, who draws the lines may ultimately decide who holds the power.
