California Legislator Suggests Dividing State, Citing Prop. 50 as Key Motivator

Following last week’s approval of Proposition 50 by California voters, which could enable Democrats to secure five more congressional seats in the upcoming midterm elections, a Republican state legislator is advocating for a plan that might divide California into two separate states.

Assemblyman James Gallagher, representing East Nicolaus, introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 23 in September. This proposal aims to establish a new state composed of 35 inland counties, covering much of Northern California, the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire.

On November 6, Gallagher presented his plan to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, highlighting that Shasta County would be part of the envisioned new state.

During the discussion, Gallagher described Proposition 50 as a “significant catalyst” for his proposal. He also emphasized that pressing issues, including “soaring utility bills,” crime, homelessness, and wildfire management, have been sidelined in current political discourse.

“The reality under California’s current structure is that the coastal regions hold most of the state’s population. They have the majority a supermajority of representatives,” Gallagher said during the meeting. “When they vote, they vote for their own interests, with little regard for inland California.” That’s just the reality. They don’t really care about us because they don’t have to.”

Gallagher, who has been a proponent of secession, noted that he would face uphill battles getting his idea approved unless local communities get involved.

“If I went into committee tomorrow to present that bill, it probably wouldn’t get through,” he said. “But I believe it can happen if it begins from the ground up, if counties and local jurisdictions come together around their common interests and their communities of interest to request, petition, and demand consent for statehood.”

The idea of splitting California into two states isn’t new. As noted during the meeting, other counties, such as Siskiyou, Modoc, Tehama, Lassen, and San Bernardino, have considered the idea.

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors, which has a conservative majority, was divided on the proposal. Supervisor Chris Kelstrom said he was “fully in support,” while others wondered if creating a new state was the right thing to do.

Should the proposal be approved, this wouldn’t be the first time a state has split into two. During the American Civil War, differences in religion, politics, and views on slavery led to Virginia splitting into two states.

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