Republicans strategize about upcoming redistricting particular election at annual conference

Republicans throughout the state got here collectively over the weekend for the California Republican Celebration’s annual conference with one situation high of thoughts for a lot of: to defeat Proposition 50, the Democrat-led redistricting measure that’s showing on the Nov. 4 poll.

With solely a couple of month left earlier than ballots land in voters’ mailboxes, it’s a dash for each supporters and opponents of Prop. 50 to get their messages out about why California ought to or mustn’t redraw its congressional maps mid-cycle.

Learn extra: California Republicans get a momentum reward with redistricting — however what is going to they do with it?

Republicans, who oppose Prop. 50, known as it the Democrats’ manner of “rigging” elections and stated a lot is at stake.

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Mark Meuser of Dhillon Regulation Group talks throughout a panel dialogue on Redistricting Lawfare in 2025 Hosted by the Republican Nationwide Attorneys Affiliation, Sept. 6, 2025, on the CAGOP, California Republican Celebration conference in Backyard Grove. Behind him, from left, are panel members Will O’Neill, Shawn Metal and Moderator Garrett Fahy…(Picture by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)

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If Republicans quit congressional seats in California, it will likely be tough for the get together to maintain management of the Home, Shawn Metal, a Republican Nationwide Committee member, stated throughout a panel dialogue on the CAGOP conference on the Hyatt Regency in Orange County on Saturday, Sept. 6.

“That massive loss goes to imply Democratic domination, not solely by means of (President Donald) Trump’s second half of the administration … nevertheless it’s going to arrange Republicans in a foul manner,” Metal stated.

Democrats, in the meantime, have touted the redistricting effort as a approach to counter related gerrymandering in Texas, the place, on the president’s request, the state’s Republican management is looking for to shore up extra GOP congressional seats.

However Will O’Neill, chair of the Republican Celebration of Orange County, advised these gathered on the weekend conference to speak to their associates, household and neighbors concerning the “absurd” situations that may happen again in California if the proposed congressional maps have been enacted.

For instance, O’Neill stated, within the forty second Congressional District — now represented by Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Lengthy Seaside — the boundary traces would change to lump in Orange County’s Newport Seaside, a extra conservative voter base, with the extra liberal Lengthy Seaside in L.A. County – “as a result of if you consider Newport Seaside, you assume Robert Garcia,” he stated to laughs.

Mark Meuser, an lawyer with Dhillon Regulation Group, which has filed two unsuccessful lawsuits on behalf of Republicans difficult Democrats’ redistricting efforts in California, stated throughout the session that his agency is ready to file one other lawsuit — and to take the case to the Supreme Court docket — ought to voters approve Prop. 50.

He stated his agency can even search to cease the brand new maps from taking impact ought to voters cross Prop. 50 till the constitutionality of the brand new district traces is decided in court docket.

“If the voters vote sure (on Nov. 4), guess the place I’m going to be on the fifth?” Meuser stated.

“We might be in entrance of a three-judge panel right here within the state of California. And if that three-judge panel doesn’t give us a direct injunction, we might be on the rocket docket straight to the Supreme Court docket … asking them to enjoin the brand new district traces,” he stated.

With a lot at stake, political observers anticipate the particular November redistricting election to value about $250 million as campaigns make a mad sprint to win over voters.

Noting that there are simply 58 days till the election, Metal stated the best way to win is thru grassroots efforts and urged these in attendance to do their half to get voters to concentrate.

“We have to awaken our base, and that’s how Trump did it. He needed to flip seven states … and he was attempting to say, ‘Get away from bed and get to work.’ And that’s what now we have to do. That is that form of election,” Metal stated.

“It is a massive deal. That is the way forward for our get together,” he added.