California’s latest congressman is reviving a push to carve out components of the Golden State and create a brand-new state for residents who really feel deserted by Sacramento.
Rep. James Gallagher, who was sworn into Congress this month after profitable a particular election to signify California’s sprawling 1st Congressional District, stated rural communities ought to “critically think about” whether or not they need to stay a part of California following the passing of the controversial redistricting measure referred to as Proposition 50.
“I feel we now have to significantly think about whether or not or not we need to proceed as part of a state like that, proper? And that possibly we would like our personal self willpower,” Gallagher stated throughout an interview with KCRA’s Ashley Zavala.
The Republican lawmaker argued the U.S. Structure supplies a path for brand new states to be fashioned and steered the hassle would start with counties and native governments formally backing the thought earlier than ultimately looking for approval from each the California Legislature and Congress.
“I don’t suppose that is one thing that may occur in a single day, however I do suppose it’s one thing that needs to be a severe dialogue,” Gallagher stated when requested if he seeks to push for this at a nationwide stage.
“If it continues to maneuver ahead, I feel we do have a look at taking that subsequent step,possibly it’s introducing some federal laws offering for that federal consent,” he added.
Gallagher didn’t specify which counties may finally search to depart California, although he stated “six counties have already stated that they do” help the idea and have signed onto a decision he beforehand launched.
The proposal echoes the decades-old “State of Jefferson” motion, an effort largely centered in far Northern California and southern Oregon that argues rural communities have been overshadowed by the state’s city facilities.
Supporters of that motion have traditionally included residents in counties akin to Modoc County, Lassen Countyand Siskiyou County, although it isn’t clear whether or not these are the identical counties Gallagher now envisions becoming a member of a brand new state.
Many conservatives in these areas say they’ve lengthy felt ignored by Sacramento and argue their pursuits — from water rights and timber revenues to wildlife administration and agriculture — are routinely sacrificed in favor of insurance policies crafted for coastal metropolitan areas.
The frustration has intensified within the wake of Proposition 50, a voter-approved measure that redrew congressional districts and, in line with critics, diluted the voting energy of rural Republican voters by pairing them with closely Democratic areas across the Bay Space, together with rich and liberal Marin County.
Gallagher framed the combat as one over illustration.
“When you find yourself proposing to remove our very voice, our very skill to elect an individual of our alternative, once you put occasion over folks, then I feel we now have to significantly think about whether or not or not we need to proceed as part of a state like that,” he stated.
The congressman argued residents in Northern California, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire more and more really feel “missed and underrepresented” by state leaders.
“Many individuals in Northern California really feel like we would like one thing higher than what we’ve been given,” Gallagher stated. “And I feel different folks on this state as properly, as I stated, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, for instance, really feel very missed and underrepresented by the state of California.”
He pointed to Democratic-backed environmental and financial insurance policies — together with restrictions on gas-powered automobiles, the extension of the state’s cap-and-trade program and resistance to suspending the fuel tax — as proof that Sacramento is out of contact with rural communities.
“That kind of obstinate angle, smug angle in the direction of these components of the state continues to at the present time, and it’s an issue,” Gallagher stated.
The congressman’s embrace of secession predates his arrival in Washington.
Whereas serving as Meeting Republican chief final yr, Gallagher launched a decision that may have break up California into two separate states.
Not like earlier State of Jefferson proposals targeted virtually completely on the agricultural north, Gallagher’s plan drew an east-west divide that may have positioned a lot of inland California — together with parts of the conservative Inland Empire — right into a separate state.
The measure was largely symbolic and had little probability of advancing within the Democrat-controlled Legislature, but it surely highlighted rising tensions between California’s city facilities and inland communities.
At a Sacramento information convention in August 2025, Gallagher stated “forgotten folks” in inland counties had misplaced their voice beneath the state’s Democratic supermajority.
He blasted then-Gov. Gavin Newsom over his redistricting plans, dubbing the hassle a “Gavin-mander” and warning it might erase rural illustration.
“Gavin, let my folks go,” Gallagher declared.
Later that month, talking at a rally protesting progressive laws, Gallagher escalated his rhetoric additional.
“Make no mistake, we’re combating tyranny right here in California,” he advised supporters. “We are going to by no means give up our rights which can be given by God. And in the event that they do, we’ll do what we now have to do to safe our liberty and to safe our rights into the long run.”
California voters permitted the mid-decade congressional redistricting plan to counter related partisan redistricting efforts in Republican states like Texas to stability the gerrymandering, in line with Newsom.
Whether or not Gallagher’s newest push positive aspects traction stays to be seen.
Creating a brand new state would require approval from each the California Legislature and Congress — a politically daunting hurdle.
However for Gallagher and lots of of his supporters, the marketing campaign seems to be as a lot about sending a message as it’s about redrawing the map.
