Michael R. Blood / Associated Press

Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for a special election on November 4 to introduce new U.S. House maps. The goal is to win five more Democratic seats. This move responds to Republican efforts to gain five seats in Texas.

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.

The race to become California’s next governor has kicked into a new gear. Following former Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision Wednesday to bypass the 2026 contest, the campaign entered a fresh phase lacking its biggest potential star and the presumptive early favorite.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California has been forcefully removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s news conference in Los Angeles and handcuffed by officers as he tried to speak up about immigration raids that have led to protests in California and elsewhere.