Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s push to secure GOP congressional seats sparked a Democratic walkout, drew cameras from coast to coast and also gave California Gov. Gavin Newsom a new stage.

It all amounts to the opening salvo in what is likely to become a national showdown to grasp power through gerrymandering.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two redistricting bills into law on Thursday evening after a Democratic-controlled Legislature passed them earlier in the day. Why it matters: The legislation is in direct response to Texas' Republican-controlled House passing a new congressional map at the urging of President Trump,