Gavin Newsom Gets Into War of Words With Ted Cruz Over Texas Democrats

Source: Newsweek

Published Aug 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM EDT


California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has locked horns with Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz over Texas Democrats leaving their state to avoid a redistricting vote.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, the two politicians traded barbs with each other, referencing old political controversies, as the state's redistricting conflict intensifies.

Why It Matters

Republicans want to redraw the districting map to bolster their chances in next year's midterm election. It was thought the new map would give the party the opportunity to gain five seats in the midterms.

Their efforts were thwarted when more than 51 Texas Democrats traveled to Chicago last Sunday to stop the vote, causing anger from critics and praise from political allies who accused Republicans of gerrymandering and voter suppression. Votes can only take place in the Texas legislature when two-thirds of the 150 members are present. In the days that followed, some Democrats also traveled to California and other Democratic states. Newsom and Cruz's interventions epitomize how far-reaching the Texas saga is and its broader significance in national politics.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-ted-cruz-texas-democrats-2111374

Link to tweet