Assemblyman James Gallagher Proposes Splitting California Into Two States
District 3 Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher visited Shasta County to advocate for dividing California into two separate states. This plan follows Governor Newsom’s proposal related to the recently approved Proposition 50, which aims to separate coastal counties from inland counties.
Gallagher’s Perspective on Representation
“I've traveled all throughout this state and I can tell you, it's not just Northern California that feels overlooked and ignored.”
Gallagher emphasized that Prop 50 has diluted Northern California's congressional representation. He warned that after the next congressional election, three representatives from the Bay Area might represent all of Northern California.
Political Impact and Local Opinions
District 1 Representative Doug LaMalfa is among the Republicans who could lose their seats due to the Prop 50 redistricting. Some Shasta County leaders find the topic worth discussing.
“If there's a town hall, only one other person can be there. So, this is really about getting the five supervisors together to be able to have this discussion.” – Kevin Crye, Shasta County Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor
Public reaction to Gallagher’s proposal was mixed. Some expressed skepticism about the chances of success, citing numerous past attempts.
“This is apparently the 221st attempt to split California. It's going to end in the dustbin of history, just like all other attempts.” – Jeff Gorder
Summary
James Gallagher continues to advocate for splitting California, arguing that current political boundaries strip fair representation from Northern California, despite considerable opposition and historical challenges.