Division plan advocated by California's leading Republican, reasoning explained

California State Assembly Minority Leader Proposes Split to Address Representation Issues

James Gallagher, the Republican minority leader in the California State Assembly, has proposed a bill to split California into two states. The proposal, which Gallagher calls a "two-state solution," aims to address the issue of representation, as many Californians feel unrepresented due to gerrymandering.

If the proposed new state were to become a reality, it would be the tenth-largest state in the nation. With a strong GDP, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and timber industries, the new state would be economically robust.

Gallagher's proposal comes after California Democrats voted to redraw congressional districts to deliver more Democratic seats. The Republican leader does not mention this current proposal in his arguments, instead focusing on the need for better representation for all Californians.

The proposed states would not be politically homogeneous. One of the proposed states would include predominantly Democratic strongholds like Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. The other state would consist of largely rural counties that lean Republican, such as Shasta, Mariposa, and Tulare. Gallagher suggests that the new state would be competitive, with a diverse population that includes Republicans, Democrats, independents, and a high Latino population.

Gallagher argues that allowing different parts of the state to govern themselves would address the issue of representation. He mentions farmers, blue-collar workers, and people who commute to jobs at refineries as examples of those who feel unrepresented. He implores his Democratic colleagues to consider allowing him and his constituents to govern their area "the way that we know best."

Gallagher disagrees with the gerrymandering happening in Texas and argues that his proposal aims to address this issue. However, he does not specify new arguments to convince his Democratic colleagues to cross the aisle and vote with him on his bill.

It is worth noting that the proposer of the idea to split California into two states in the western United States is not explicitly named in the provided search results. Gallagher does not discuss the "two-state solution" label for his proposal or the potential diversity of the new state, including a high Latino population and a competitive political landscape.

The debate over splitting California into two states is a contentious one, and it remains to be seen whether Gallagher's proposal will gain traction. Regardless, the issue of representation and the need for fair districting remains a pressing concern for many Californians.