California passes bills to let voters redraw U.S. House maps in 2026, countering Texas’ planned redistricting to boost GOP seats. (Scripps News)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a series of bills calling for new congressional maps that could add up to five Democratic seats in Congress, a response to an ongoing, Trump-led effort in Texas to use redistricting there to carve out five additional GOP seats.

The vote targets congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms in a state where shifts could change control of the House of Representatives.

Democrats are searching for a leader to take on President Trump. Gov. Gavin Newsom embraced that role with new online trolling and a proposed gerrymander to counter a GOP power play in Texas.

Texas Democrat state Rep. Nicole Collier had to abruptly leave a call with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other party members after she was told she was committing a felony.

Democratic state Representative Nicole Collier spent the night in the Texas Capitol building rather than agree to a police monitor amid a contentious partisan struggle over redistricting that is part of President Donald Trump's campaign to keep the national House of Representatives in Republican hands.