For years, Democrats have insisted that gerrymandering is a “threat to democracy," except, of course, when they’re the ones doing it. In fact, blue-state Democrats have been weaponizing the redistricting process for decades, carving up congressional maps with surgical precision to all but erase Republican influence.
But suddenly, when Republicans in Texas decided it was time to level the playing field, Democrats lost their minds. Texas lawmakers moved to redraw maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, and predictably, Democrats responded with their usual theatrics. They literally fled the state, holing up in Illinois, a place so gerrymandered that it could be a case study in partisan manipulation. Despite all their fanfare, they ended up back in Texas with little to show for their stunt.
That was just the opening skirmish. What we’re seeing now is Democrats trying to escalate the redistricting war beyond Texas. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has stepped to the front lines, hoping to squeeze just a little more juice out of his already safe state by pushing for new maps. The currently proposed new California map would essentially erase Republican gains in Texas.
If Democrats think they can win by escalation, they’ve got another thing coming. Republicans actually hold the stronger hand if this fight goes national.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Chris Cillizza even admitted that if a national “re-redistricting war” kicked off, Republicans would win decisively.
That truth hasn’t changed. Conservatives control many of the states where redistricting really matters, and if Democrats truly want an all-out battle, they’ll end up losing ground, not gaining it.
In a re-redistricting war, Republicans would win pic.twitter.com/PG9vuh3Lzv
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) August 16, 2025
Democrats would be wise to realize that they don’t actually have the arsenal to win this war. If they keep escalating, they’ll pay the price for it. If Republican governors and legislatures finally take the gloves off on redistricting, the balance of power will shift swiftly, and not in the Democrats’ favor.
Even inside Democratic circles, there’s recognition that Newsom’s saber-rattling might not be wise. Some are urging him to abandon fantasies of cracking Republican enclaves in California and instead focus on shoring up fragile Democratic districts that could be slipping away.
Democrats have asked Newsom to shore up their districts instead of trying to go nuclear on all California Republicans.
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) August 15, 2025
CA moved 1 point to the right in 2020 and 9 points to the right in 2024.
There’s a very real chance it swings right again in 2028 and they know it. https://t.co/FPFu9RVIvN
Here’s the bigger picture: Democrats have been running this game for years, and they’ve grown comfortable with their advantage. Now that Republicans are done losing on procedural technicalities, the Left is panicking. Democrats can shout about “defending democracy” all they want, but if this fight goes national, they stand to lose the most.
They claim they’re just reacting, but the truth is that Democrats have been rigging the system for years, and they’re furious Republicans are finally pushing back. Let them escalate; when the gloves come off, the advantage is with the GOP. For once, the smartest move is to fight back and watch Democrats lose the war they started.
