Sutter and Yuba counties will hear the matter during their Tuesday board meetings.
YUBA COUNTY, Calif. — With one week until Election Day, two Northern California counties are weighing support for a proposal to split California into two states, one largely represented by Democrats and the other dominated by Republicans.
Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-East Nicolaus) first introduced the idea last summer after lawmakers passed what is now known as Proposition 50. Gallagher, who is running for Congress in District 1, said Republicans in California are tired of being overlooked, though he acknowledged the process to divide the state would be lengthy.
“This is about representation,” Gallagher said. “Gavin Newsom and the supermajority is trying to take our voices away.”
Gallagher’s proposal, Assembly Joint Resolution 23, would allow California to split into two separate states if approved by the state Legislature and Congress.
“That would have to be something supported from the ground up,” Gallagher said. “We have had other counties come on board and say that they want to do this and they want to go down that path.”
On Tuesday, Sutter and Yuba counties are expected to discuss support for Gallagher’s measure during county board meetings.
Gallagher is also running for Congress in District 1, which was drastically changed after voters approved Proposition 50, changing congressional district lines.
“I think it was really the red line that many people have said enough is enough,” Gallagher said. “That’s why you’re seeing these local governments consider and support this new idea.”
Despite growing local support, analysts said the proposal is unlikely to advance through the Legislature.
“Governor Newsom doesn’t play a role in this,” said Chris Micheli, McGeorge School of Law adjunct professor. “It only requires the consent of the two houses of the Legislature, but considering that the Legislature is controlled strongly by Democrats in both houses, we do not anticipate this resolution to move forward.”
Last August, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office told ABC10 in a statement:
“A person who seeks to split California does not deserve to hold office in the Golden State. This is a stunt that will go nowhere.”
ABC10 reached out to Newsom’s office for an updated statement and is waiting for a response.
The effort must pass by Aug. 31 this year to move forward. If it fails, Gallagher said Republicans will likely continue pushing the proposal in future legislative sessions.
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