California Republicans on Wednesday proposed creating a new state from 35 inland counties, responding to Democratic redistricting that they say weakened GOP representation in Congress. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 23, dubbed \u201cThe Two State Solution,\u201d at a press conference in Sacramento. The resolution cites Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which allows new states to form from existing ones but requires approval from both the state legislature and Congress.<\/p>\n
With Democrats holding supermajorities in both, the proposal faces steep odds, according to Just the News. Gallagher framed the measure as a way to give inland California residents a stronger voice, pointing to rising costs, regulatory burdens, and limited political influence as key pressures on families, small businesses, and truckers. \u201cI think this is about the trucker in the Inland Empire who is told he has to get rid of his truck because of the regulations in this state,\u201d he said while unveiling a proposed map.<\/p>\n
Republicans argued the plan was a direct response to Proposition 50, a redistricting effort by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom designed to give Democrats five more congressional seats. Gallagher called it \u201cthe straw that broke the camel\u2019s back,\u201d accusing inland residents of long being denied meaningful representation.<\/p>\n
He also drew a biblical analogy, comparing the initiative to Moses leading the Israelites from oppression: \u201cGavin, let my people go,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The proposed new state would include the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Northern California, and the Inland Empire, totaling about 10 million people. Coastal counties, which lean Democratic, would remain in California, though Gallagher said boundaries could shift if communities like Orange County want to join the new state.<\/p>\n