‘Inland California’ Proposed as 51st State

California Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican from Northern California, has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 23, proposing a “two-state solution” to partition California.

AJR-23 is a direct response to Democrat efforts, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, to redraw the state’s congressional districts through Proposition 50, a measure Gallagher and other Republicans oppose as a partisan power grab.

Gallagher’s proposal seeks to create a new state from 35 inland California counties, aiming to give an “overlooked” population a fair voice and the ability to self-govern amidst what he describes as “chronic neglect of rural and inland California.”

This proposed state would encompass 35 counties across Northern California, the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, creating a large area separate from California’s coastal regions.

Gallagher envisions “Inland California” as a new state with a population over 10 million, ranking among the top ten most populous states. He suggests its GDP would rival that of Arizona.

The state’s demographic diversity is a mix of Republicans, Democrats, independents and a majority Latino population. The state’s diversity would promote a competitive political environment focused on the people’s needs. The new state would be named by its future citizens.

Forming a new state requires constitutional consent from state legislative houses and the U.S. Congress. Gallagher notes this will likely be a lengthy process, starting with local communities expressing their desire for change. Local pressure could lead to legislative approval or a voter initiative to reflect the people’s will.

Neglect & Gerrymandering

AJR-23 stems from Gallagher’s claim that the state government has neglected California’s rural and inland populations.

He advocates for the “forgotten people” of the state, including truckers facing tough regulations, blue-collar workers threatened by refinery closures, single mothers struggling with high living costs in the Central Valley, and farmers dealing with declining commodity prices and water cut-offs due to “bad policy.” He also points to the reintroduction of the gray wolf in Northern California as an example of policies that harm ranchers whose cattle are being killed.

A key factor in AJR-23 is Governor Newsom’s support for Proposition 50, which Gallagher criticizes as an “unconstitutional measure” and “partisan gerrymander.” He argues that Prop 50 attempts to “strip the entire North State of all of its representation in Congress” and silence rural voices.

Gallagher says the political structure allows those in power to remain elected without addressing local concerns, emphasizing his message to Governor Newsom: “Gavin, let my people go.”

Gallagher argues that a two-state solution would enhance governance by addressing the unique needs of the inland region, such as water management. He says this would empower residents to make decisions rather than being controlled by coastal “elites” and an “incompetent and inept” state government. He views this as a reflection of the “American way” and a civil means for people to seek self-determination.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office rejected Gallagher’s two-state proposal, stating that someone who seeks to split California “does not deserve to hold office.”

Gallagher defended himself, claiming his six elections show he represents his constituents’ views and they won’t be stripped of representation. The introduction of AJR-23 is part of a larger partisan battle over congressional redistricting that began in Texas and escalated to California.

Texas’ Redistricting & California’s Response

The national redistricting conflict began in June 2025 when Texas Republicans, urged by the Trump administration, started planning to redraw congressional district lines to favor their party. Concerns from Trump and his allies about potential losses in the 2026 U.S. House elections prompted this move.

Texas House Democrats tried to block redistricting efforts by fleeing the state. However, their attempt failed, and the Texas State House approved congressional maps aimed at five Democratic-held seats. The State Senate soon passed the map, and Governor Abbott pledged to sign it, anticipating up to five additional Republican seats in Texas.

California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed that California could gerrymander in response to the Texas House Republicans. He stated that California “cannot afford to screw around” and aimed to “nullify what happens in Texas” with Proposition 50. It would create five additional Democratic seats in California’s congressional delegation to counter Donald Trump’s “election rigging.”

Prop 50, also called the “Election Rigging Response Act,” is a constitutional amendment for the Nov. 4, 2025, special election ballot. It would temporarily replace congressional districts drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission with new maps targeting five Republican-held seats for the 2026 to 2030 elections. After 2030, the redistricting authority would revert to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The process to bring Proposition 50 to the ballot was quick. Governor Newsom proposed a special election to pause the independent redistricting commission and transfer power to the California Legislature. California Democrats passed the legislation on August 21, 2025. The Assembly voted in favor of the legislation, with nearly all Democrats supporting it and all Republicans opposing. The Senate approved it along party lines, and Governor Newsom signed it the same day.

Republicans challenged Proposition 50, claiming the legislative process violated state law regarding a 30-day waiting period before voting on bills, a tactic dubbed “gut and amend.” California legislators filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court, which rejected their emergency motion.

After the bill passed, the same legislators sued again, arguing it violated citizens’ rights to have the California Redistricting Commission draw congressional districts. The Supreme Court also rejected this lawsuit on August 27, 2025. The Trump Administration announced plans to sue in federal court to block Proposition 50.

Support for the proposition is largely partisan; Governor Newsom is its leading advocate. Opposition comes from Republicans, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s “Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab” committee and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Protect Voters First.”

California’s History of Partition & Secession

Since its admission to the Union in 1850, California, the most populous and third-largest state by area, has been the subject of more than 200 partition proposals.

Early Statehood Ambitions: Shortly after its founding during the Gold Rush in the late 1840s, California held a Constitutional Convention in 1849, where delegates unanimously outlawed slavery. With a sparsely populated southern half that had never had slavery and a significant Hispanic presence, California applied for statehood. It became the 31st state on Sept. 9, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850.

In the 1850s, Southern California sought separate statehood due to cultural and geographical differences and a lack of state projects despite paying taxes.

In 1855, the California State Assembly proposed dividing the state into three regions, but the bill failed in the Senate. Another effort occurred in 1859 with the “Pico Act,” sponsored by Senator Andrés Pico, which aimed to create the “Territory of Colorado.” The Civil War prevented Congress from voting on this proposal.

20th Century Proposals: In 1941, the “State of Jefferson” movement emerged, led by Mayor Gilbert Gable of Port Orford, Oregon. It proposed a new state formed from Southern Oregon and Northern California counties due to underrepresentation in state government. The movement lost momentum after Gable’s death and the United States’ entry into World War II.

In 1965, State Senator Richard J. Dolwig proposed dividing California into two states along the Tehachapi Mountains, but the resolution failed in the Assembly after passing the Senate. Dolwig made similar attempts in 1967, 1968, and 1970 without success.

In 1992, Assemblyman Stan Statham proposed a bill for a county-level referendum to create North, Central and South California. While it passed the Assembly, it did not advance in the Senate. Notably, all counties involved in the earlier Jefferson movement supported Statham’s split proposal.

Modern Iterations (2013-Present): The State of Jefferson movement revived in 2013 in Northern California, led by rancher Mark Baird, who cited a lack of representation and detrimental state forestry policies. Several counties supported withdrawal from California to form the State of Jefferson.

Venture capitalist Tim Draper became a key proponent of partitioning California. In 2013, he proposed “Six Californias” to divide the state into six entities for improved representation and governance.

In 2017, he introduced “Cal 3” to split California into three states: “California,” “Northern California,” and “Southern California.” Although Cal 3 qualified for the November 2018 ballot, the California Supreme Court removed it for further review. Analyses highlighted issues on water rights and state prison distribution. Political concerns suggested it could create a swing state in Southern California.

President Trump’s 2016 election victory would inspire interest in the 2015 “Calexit” movement. A 2017 poll showed around one-third of Californians supported immediate secession, with 15-19% unsure. By 2024, a YouGov poll showed 29% support and 26% uncertain, with 55% not opposed to discussing secession.

Proponents of Calexit argue that California functions like a “nation-state” due to its large economy and unique culture. Governors Brown and Newsom have referred to the state as a “nation-state” pursuing independent policies on issues like climate change and immigration.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Jose Cervantes at JoseC.Press@pm.me