California Republican to introduce bill banning middecade redistricting

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) said he plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would ban all middecade redistricting efforts nationwide and nullify any new maps approved before the 2030 census.

In a statement Monday, Kiley took aim at his own governor, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has said he is exploring several options for California to take on its own redistricting push, in response to Texas Republicans’ move to redraw their state's maps.

Newsom said he is working with the Legislature to bring a new map directly to voters for approval in a special election this November.

“Gavin Newsom is trying to subvert the will of voters and do lasting damage to democracy in California,” Kiley said in his statement.

“Fortunately, Congress has the ability to protect California voters using its authority under the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This will also stop a damaging redistricting war from breaking out across the country,” he continued.

Kiley, in his statement, did not mention Texas, which has proceeded with a midcycle push to approve new maps that would give Republicans in the state five more pickup opportunities ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Republicans proceeded with that plan at President Trump’s urging.

Any similar initiative in California could leave Kiley vulnerable as a Republican congressman in a heavily Democratic state.

Newsom, who met with Texas Democrats late last month, said any move would be “predicated on Texas moving forward.”