California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that the state will hold a Nov. 4 special election to decide on redrawn congressional districts that Democrats say could help them gain five additional U.S. House seats in the battle for control of Congress.

The move comes as the nation’s two most populous states, California and Texas, take center stage in a partisan struggle over House seats that could expand into other states and the courts ahead of the 2026 elections.

In Texas, lawmakers are considering a new map that could give Republicans five more seats. Minority Democrats there have so far delayed a vote by leaving the state, but said Thursday they would return if California releases its own proposed map and Texas Republicans agree to end their current special session. Both developments were expected on Friday.

In Los Angeles, Newsom formally unveiled his plan in what resembled a campaign kickoff rally, joined by the state’s Democratic leadership in a downtown auditorium filled with union members, legislators, and abortion rights advocates.

Newsom and other speakers avoided delving into the technical details of redistricting and instead framed the effort as a defense of democratic principles.

"We can't stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country," Newsom said. "We are not bystanders in this world. We can shape the future."

The event’s overarching theme was the need to confront political opponents and protect representative government.

"You have poked the bear and we will punch back," Newsom said of the current federal government, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Thursday’s announcement marks the first time another state has entered the mid-decade redistricting battle that began in Texas. That fight was delayed when minority Democrats left for Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts on Aug. 3 to block legislative action.

Elsewhere, leaders in states like Florida, New York, and Missouri are also weighing new maps. 

Democrats hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers, and Newsom expressed confidence they will secure the two-thirds support needed to move the maps forward.

"We need to stand up — not just California. Other blue states need to stand up," Newsom said.