California Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Jackson)
Jackson v. Weber
An anti-voting lawsuit challenging California governor Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan.
Background
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) filed a lawsuit in a federal district court in Texas against California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) seeking to block California’s implementation of a new congressional map drawn in response to Texas’ congressional gerrymander.
Rep. Jackson alleges defendants violated the U.S. Constitution by circumventing their state constitution’s provision requiring redistricting to be set by an independent commission and by “straying from a republican form of governance.” He argues the legislation is retaliatory towards Texans and would directly impact his subcommittee leadership position should the House of Representatives flip to Democrats.The lawsuit seeks to block Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan.
Why It Matters
California’s redistricting plan comes as a direct response to Texas’ creation of five new GOP congressional seats, meant to give the party a major edge in upcoming elections. This is the first out-of-state lawsuit challenging California’s redistricting plan. Rep. Jackson filed this lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas — one of the most conservative federal courts in the country — seeking a favorable ruling to upend Newsom’s redistricting plan.
Latest Updates
- Sept. 5, 2025: Plaintiff’s request for TRO denied.
- Sept. 4, 2025: Plaintiff filed motion for TRO and Preliminary Injunction.
- Aug. 29, 2025: Plaintiff filed their complaint.