The missive was part of Newsom's response to a Trump-backed redistricting plan in Texas that could give Republicans up to five more seats in Congress. Newsom announced he would pursue a special election to redraw California's own congressional maps — an effort to offset potential GOP gains.

As Texas hurtles toward a flashpoint on a GOP effort to redraw congressional districts, California Democrats are answering with a plan of their own.

Some of California’s most powerful politicians and unions rallied in Los Angeles for a ballot measure tilting the state’s House maps further toward Democrats.