The two largest U.S. states have launched a congressional mid-decade redistricting war, and several other states are joining the fray ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, which Democrats hope will mark the end of Republicans’ control of the federal government.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's push to secure GOP congressional seats sparked a Democratic walkout, drew cameras from coast to coast and also gave California Gov. Gavin Newsom a new stage.

Republicans are plowing forward with plans for redistricting in several other states now that Texas is poised to approve its newly redrawn maps. The Lone Star State kicked off the redistricting arms race when Republicans in the state Legislature agreed to move forward with rewriting their congressional lines at the insistence of President Trump.

As he tries to counter Texas' efforts, the California governor said, "Democrats have voted for national independent redistricting. Republicans have not."

The Assembly passed the measure 57 to 20, and lawmakers on the floor erupted in applause even before they closed the vote.

While 48% said they'd vote in favor of redistricting if the election was held today, there was a "sizable population" who were undecided.