Most Californians Prefer Independent Redistricting Despite Gavin Newsom's Push To Counter Texas Republicans

Most Californians support an independent redistricting panel, according to a new poll, as Governor Gavin Newsom moves forward with a gerrymandering push to offset one being carried out by Texas Republicans.

A survey by Politico-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab noted that most voters (64%) chose keeping the independent plan by a nearly two-to-one margin. A little more than a third of respondents (36%) backed returning the power to state lawmakers.

"It's not surprising, in the sense that California has voted twice for this independent review commission not all that long ago," said Jack Citrin, a political science professor at UC Berkeley. "And there's a lot of mistrust and cynicism about politicians and the Legislature. That's reflected here as well."

Regardless, Newsom is set to announce a redistricting push on Thursday after President Donald Trump missed his deadline to call on Republican governors to back off from such initiatives in red states.

In a social media post mocking Trump's communication style, Newsom's press office said California's new "beautiful maps" will be "historic as they will end the Trump presidency (Dems take back the House!)."

"Big press conference this week with powerful Dems and Gavin Newsom — your favorite governor — that will be devastating for MAGA. Thank you for your attention to this matter! — GN" the publication adds.

Newsom had urged Trump on Monday to direct Republicans to drop their push to redistrict congressional maps in Texas and elsewhere, warning that his administration can "offset the rigging of maps in red states."

In a letter published on social media, Newsom described the initiative as an "unprecedented, mid-decade hyper-partisan gerrymander to rig the upcoming midterm elections."

He added that Trump is "playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make."

"MAKE THE MAPS GREAT AGAIN! BIG BEAUTIFUL RALLY TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!" Newsom's press office said on Thursday.