AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The two most populous U.S. states — California and Texas — are grappling for political advantage ahead of the 2026 elections, setting up a national proxy war as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress in the latter half of Donald Trump’s second presidency.

California Democrats are pursuing a plan to redraw congressional maps amid the efforts in Texas to redistrict, which could hand the GOP five more House seats. David Becker, the executive director at the Center for Election Innovation and Research,

Texas Democrats prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump

After last week outlining a plan to ask voters to approve new congressional maps across California this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday his plan would be triggered only if Texas executes its own redistricting effort first.

Schwarzenegger opposes Newsom's plan to eliminate California's independent redistricting commission amid a national battle over congressional district maps.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday he plans to put new district lines in front of voters in a special election on Nov. 4, but only if Texas moves forward with its redistricting plans.

Pritzker accused Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of "thwarting the will of the American people" and Illinois' Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the state is willing to keep all options on the table, which includes redrawing their maps in kind. Though Illinois has been accused of unfairly skewing its own maps in favor of Democrats.