California Republicans sue over new US House map approved by voters

California Republicans Challenge Voter-Approved Congressional Map in Federal Court

California Republicans filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block a newly approved congressional district map that could significantly alter the political landscape in the state. The legal challenge targets Proposition 50, a redistricting measure backed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom that California voters recently approved at the ballot box.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that mapmakers improperly used race as a determining factor when drawing district boundaries. Republicans claim the new map unfairly favors Hispanic voters “without cause or evidence to justify it” and are asking the court to invalidate the boundaries before the 2026 elections.

Funded by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the legal challenge was filed by The Dhillon Law Group, a California-based firm founded by Harmeet Dhillon, who now serves as an assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.

At a news conference announcing the lawsuit, attorney Mike Columbo, representing the plaintiffs, said: “The map is designed to favor one race of California voters over others. This violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law, and the right under the 15th Amendment.”

The 19 plaintiffs include a Republican state lawmaker and other voters who argue that the Supreme Court has previously established that “states may not, without a compelling reason backed by evidence that was in fact considered, separate citizens into different voting districts on the basis of race.” The lawsuit claims two separate analyses have shown no voting rights issues that would warrant redrawing the map.

Republicans also allege that state lawmakers and a mapping consultant openly admitted in public statements that certain districts were intentionally redrawn to create Latino majorities. The lawsuit cites press releases from Democratic lawmakers stating that the new map “retains and expands Voting Rights Act districts that empower Latino voters” while maintaining existing Black majority districts in Oakland and Los Angeles.

The redistricting measure could potentially help Democrats flip as many as five congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections, a significant number in a House where control often hinges on narrow margins. Democrats have positioned the measure as a strategic counterbalance to redistricting efforts in Texas, where Republicans have redrawn maps to potentially gain five GOP seats at former President Trump’s urging.

When asked about the lawsuit, Newsom’s office responded with characteristic bluntness on social media: “Good luck, losers.” The administration added that while they haven’t fully reviewed the legal challenge, they remain confident it will fail.

Paul Mitchell, the redistricting consultant named in the lawsuit, declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

The case now heads to a three-judge panel that will decide whether to grant a temporary restraining order before December 19, when candidates can begin collecting voter signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot. Columbo expressed hope for a ruling within weeks and predicted the case would ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

This lawsuit represents the latest in a series of legal challenges Republicans have mounted against Democratic redistricting plans in California, most of which have been unsuccessful thus far. Political analysts note that redistricting battles have intensified nationwide as both parties recognize how significantly district boundaries can influence electoral outcomes and control of Congress.

The legal showdown comes amid growing national tension over redistricting practices, with courts increasingly scrutinizing the role race plays in drawing political boundaries. A decision in this case could set important precedents for how states approach redistricting following the next census and potentially reshape California’s congressional delegation, which currently includes 40 Democrats and 12 Republicans.