(NEXSTAR) – The national redistricting battle continues following a decisive victory for California’s ballot measure to redraw the state’s congressional map in favor of adding five more Democrats in Congress. This development comes as a response to Texas’s recently approved map, which favors five Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson remains confident that the GOP will still come out on top in the upcoming midterms. “We do believe at the end of the day we will net more seats for the Republican Party than the Democrat Party,” Johnson said.
Several states, including Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, have all passed new maps aimed at electing more Republicans. However, California’s vote raises new questions for the five California Republicans whose districts have now been altered, including Congressman Kevin Kiley.
“The people of California have spoken,” Kiley (R-CA) said. Although Kiley plans to run for reelection next year, he remains uncertain about which district he will represent. “My current district is split six different ways. I have a lot of options,” he explained.
Speaker Johnson expressed optimism about the GOP’s prospects in California despite the changes. “We’re going to win that anyway. We’re bullish. We’re going to fight like warrior poets in California, and we’re going to make sure that our Republicans get reelected,” he said.
Meanwhile, another blue state could soon join the redistricting fight. Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore announced the formation of a commission on redistricting this week. This move follows state legislative leaders’ decision not to advance redistricting efforts.
“We can’t allow them to sort of cheat us out of the House of Representatives,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD).
Congressman Ivey emphasized the importance of redistricting in Maryland. “I think this is what we need to try and do at the moment—to fight fire with fire and push back on what Trump and Republicans are doing nationwide,” he said.
The current redistricting saga began when former President Donald Trump urged Texas to redraw its congressional map, sparking a nationwide response among Democrats and Republicans alike.
https://wgntv.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/johnson-confident-about-redistricting-fight-despite-california-ballot-measure-win/