As Texas moves forward with an off-cycle redistricting to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority, Gov. Gavin Newsom is plotting a Democratic response in California. But the state’s independent redistricting commission is a major obstacle.

As Texas lawmakers reconvene over a special legislative session to address several topics including President Donald Trump's missive to redraw the state's congressional maps, some Lone Star State politicos are looking for help from an unexpected source: the governor of California.

Redistricting usually happens after the census count or in response to a court ruling. Texas' gerrymandering move and similar ones considered in other states may have far-reaching effects.