Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson Sues Newsom Over California Election Measure

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) has initiated a federal lawsuit challenging California’s recent election measure, arguing that the initiative unfairly targets Texas Republicans and could diminish GOP influence in Congress. 

Filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the complaint names Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Secretary of State Shirley Weber as defendants. 

Jackson contends the legislation is a retaliatory response to Texas’ mid-decade redistricting, which is projected to add five Republican seats in the 2026 congressional elections. 

The legal action, dubbed the Election Rigging Response Act (ERRA) challenge, requests declaratory and injunctive relief under claims that California has violated both the Elections Clause and the Guarantee Clause. 

Jackson’s filing argues that the amendment, scheduled for voter consideration in November, imposes a temporary congressional map that could manipulate district lines to favor Democrats, potentially undermining Republican representation. 

“This measure targets Texas citizens and congressional representatives, including myself, with the intent to dilute our political power,” the lawsuit asserts. 

Jackson warned that the consequences of the measure could affect committee assignments and legislative influence for Texas Republicans. 

By redrawing districts, he claims, California voters could indirectly interfere with Republican efforts stemming from Texas’ own redistricting, which followed approval by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Friday. 

Democratic officials in California maintain that the ERRA aims to reflect population shifts and maintain voter fairness, denying any political retaliation. 

The case has been assigned to Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee with a history of siding with conservative litigants.

Jackson deliberately filed in the Amarillo division of the Northern District of Texas, ensuring the case would be heard by Kacsmaryk, highlighting a growing trend among Republicans to select legal venues favorable to their arguments, Trending Politics reports. 

California’s legal team is expected to argue that the ERRA falls within state authority to manage elections and constitutional processes. 

Jackson, a former White House physician under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, has represented Texas’ 13th District since 2021. 

The lawsuit underscores longstanding tensions between the states, citing prior actions by Newsom that targeted Texas Republicans. 

The filing references a 2022 campaign by Newsom, which purchased ad space in Texas newspapers criticizing Abbott on issues ranging from gun policies to abortion. 

“Governor Newsom strategically communicated criticisms directly to Texas voters,” the complaint notes. 

The legal dispute arrives amid ongoing litigation over Texas’ new redistricting map, which faces challenges alleging racial gerrymandering. 

California voters must approve the ERRA amendment before it can be implemented, setting the stage for an extended legal and political battle that could stretch into the 2026 election cycle. 

Analysts suggest the outcome may not only influence Jackson’s role in Congress but also impact which party controls the House following the next midterms. 

Jackson emphasizes that the ERRA constitutes a deliberate political attack on Texas’ representation. 

“California’s actions are purposefully directed at Texas, causing foreseeable harm to our state’s political influence,” the lawsuit declares. 

The case is expected to be closely watched as a potential precedent in the growing dispute between state-led redistricting measures and partisan conflicts across state lines. 

The post Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson Sues Newsom Over California Election Measure appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.