Conservative opponents dominated the public comment at legislative hearings on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan, though most were at the Capitol for an unrelated rally.

Democratic Governors Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul of California and New York, respectively, issued brief warnings to Texas after the Republican-led state legislature voted Wednesday evening to advance a controversial congressional redistricting plan.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is receiving a boost from his state’s voters as he moves to counter a plan backed by President Donald Trump, his longtime pollster wrote in an internal memo released by Axios on Thursday.

Bed Bath & Beyond announced that its comeback will not include locations in the largest state in the nation. Marcus Lemonis, Bed Bath & Beyond Executive Chairman said in a statement issued Aug. 20 that the company will not open a brick-and-mortar location in California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on as Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Fransisco, delivers remarks during a news conference on redistricting at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Sacramento on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. California legislative leaders met with Texas Democratic lawmakers about Republican plans to redistrict. DANIEL HEUER [email protected]

The California governor has poked fun at the president's social media posts in recent weeks, having his press office copy Trump's use of all capital letters in their posts and giving Republicans and right wing figures denigrating nicknames.

Former President Barack Obama has waded into states’ efforts at rare mid-decade redistricting efforts, saying he agrees with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to alter his state’s congressional maps, in the way of Texas redistricting efforts promoted by President Donald Trump aimed at shoring up Republicans’ position in next year’s elections.

California Democrats' ability to do so may hinge on the outcome of a ballot measure Newsom announced last week that would allow a new map drafted by legislators to temporarily replace the boundaries drawn up by the state's independent redistricting committee following the 2020 census.