Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher wants California to split apart.

The Republican from the East Nicolaus farming community in south Sutter County is calling a press conference for 10 a.m. today to introduce a resolution seeking to split the state in two — Inland California versus Coastal California.

It’s a reaction to Gov. Gavin Newsom securing a Nov. 4 special election to essentially tear apart Congressional districts put in place by a voter installed independent commission in order to significantly enhance the Democrats’ control of the California congressional delegation by reducing the chances of Republicans retaining five current seats.

It is the governor’s response to Texas redrawing districts ahead of the 2026 midterms to make it more likely five seats held by the Democrats will go Republican in the Lone Star State.

The resolution dubbed the “Two State Solution” proposes creating a new state comprised of 41 Inland California counties including San Joaquin County.

Gallagher contends Newsom’s move — should voters approve it in a Nov. 4 special election —  would silence rural voices and rig the political system forever.

 “The people of inland California have been overlooked for too long,” Gallagher said. “It’s time for a two-state solution.

The new state Gallagher envisions includes most of the Central Valley except Sacramento and Yolo counties, the Inland Empire, the interior counties of Northern California, and the Sierra.

The remaining 17 counties would have 29.5 million people and the new state 10 million people.

Coastal California would drop down to the second largest state after Texas with 31 million people. Inland California would be the 11th largest state in terms of population.

There have been 220 proposals to split California since statehood in 1851 with 27 of them considered serous.

The last one that went the farthest was a measure that failed to qualify for the 2016 state ballot to create “Six Californias.”

It was advanced by venture capitalist Tim Draper.

The Secretary of State ruled that not enough signatures were valid to qualify for the measure for the ballot.

A statewide vote is the first step in a long process that requires the California Legislature and Congress to agree to allow a split to happen.

Six Californias would have divided the state's 58 counties among six new states — Jefferson (select counties in the far north of the state), North California, Silicon Valley, Central California, West California, and South California

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com