LOS ANGELES - A national political battle over redistricting is escalating as California lawmakers approved a special election that will be held Nov. 4 for voters to decide on the newly proposed congressional maps. Lawmakers voted mostly along party lines after hours of debate. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation Thursday evening.

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s fight against Republican gerrymandering efforts in a Wednesday night social media post. Newsom has been openly warning Texas Republicans that he will fight back after they began working to introduce a new congressional map that will deliver five additional House seats to the GOP.

The former president made the public comments in support of the California governor’s plan to counter move Texas Republicans