California Republicans have introduced a provocative resolution to split the state in two, framing it as a response to Democrats’ push to redraw congressional districts ahead of the midterm elections.
James Gallagher, Republican leader in the state assembly, proposed dividing California vertically, separating the coastal, Democratic-leaning regions from the more rural, Republican inland areas. He argued the move is necessary to protect the political voice of communities outside the coastal cities.
Gallagher said the proposed new state would have a population of more than 10 million, making it one of the largest in the country. “We have been overlooked for far too long, and now they are trying to rip away what little representation we have left,” he stated.
Democrats dismissed the plan as a political stunt. A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom said those seeking to split California “do not deserve to hold office,” while Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’s office mocked the proposal as little more than a partisan gerrymander.
The dispute comes as California voters prepare for a November special election to decide whether lawmakers should be allowed to redraw congressional maps. A recent poll showed voters divided, with 46% supporting the redistricting plan and 36% opposing it.
