SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Republicans filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to block a new U.S. House map that California voters decisively approved at the ballot.
Proposition 50, supported by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, is designed to help Democrats flip up to five congressional House seats in the midterm elections next year. The lawsuit asserts that the map-makers improperly considered race to favor Hispanic voters and requests that the court block the new boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections. The complaint is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The Dhillon Law Group, founded by Harmeet Dhillon, who now serves as an assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, filed the lawsuit.
“The map is designed to favor one race of California voters over others,” stated Mike Columbo, whose plaintiffs include a state Republican lawmaker and 18 other voters. “This violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law and the right under the 15th Amendment.”
Newsom’s office commented on social media that while they have not reviewed the lawsuit, they are confident it will fail.
It remains uncertain whether a three-judge panel hearing the case will grant a temporary restraining order before December 19, which is the date when candidates can begin collecting signatures to reduce their filing fees — essentially the first step in officially running for the 2026 midterm elections. Columbo expressed hope for a decision in the coming weeks.
Republicans have previously filed multiple lawsuits in California to block Democratic initiatives, often without success.
“Good luck, losers,” the post reads.
