A California redistricting controversy escalated during a public hearing on August 19, when Republican lawmakers were blocked from speaking on proposed congressional redistricting plans.
As previously reported by this outlet on August 19, Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism for pushing redistricting measures aimed at expanding Democratic seats. The dispute intensified at the California Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee hearing, where bills ACA-8 and SB-280 were discussed. The five-member committee includes Senator Steven Choi (37th District) as its only Republican and current vice chair.
According to Choi’s office, Republican Senators Suzette Martinez Valladares (23rd District) and Tony Strickland (36th District) attended the hearing to deliver remarks on the redistricting proposals. However, Committee Chair Sabrina Cervantes (31st District), a Democrat, denied their requests to speak.
On August 20, Choi stated, “Since this is such an important issue, I asked that Republican lawmakers also be heard, but my request was denied. In the end, Republican lawmakers could not even take the podium and had to voluntarily leave.”
Choi criticized the process, saying redistricting is a critical matter requiring careful consideration, yet Democrats failed to allow “reasonable analysis or judgment.” He also cited similar disputes in the Assembly Elections Committee, where Democrats had allegedly cut off microphones to silence Republican members during debates. Choi’s office described such actions as “irrational partisan behavior.”
Choi also directed criticism at Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of advancing redistricting plans to expand Democratic power for his own political ambitions. He claimed the effort was “a choice driven by personal ambition to run for president” and intended to “capture the spotlight.” Choi added that California’s redistricting was not based on residents’ needs but instead was “political retaliation against Texas,” which had pursued its own redistricting.
Meanwhile, on the same day, protests erupted at the Capitol. According to CalMatters, thousands of conservative residents initially gathered to oppose immigration-related legislation but then joined demonstrations against redistricting. Protesters filled the hallway outside the Assembly Elections Committee hearing room, condemning Democrats’ actions as a partisan attempt to control the process. Some declared, “Politicians choosing voters is the destruction of democracy.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
