Despite supporting independent redistricting, former President Obama endorsed California Democrats' proposal to redraw the state's congressional districts to counter efforts by President Trump and GOP state leaders to push mid-decade partisan gerrymandering.

The national tit-for-tat redistricting battle entered its next phase Thursday as California Democrats launched their final legislative push to redraw their congressional map to add up to five winnable seats for their party,

The special election is a response by Democrats to Texas Republicans’ push to redraw their state’s congressional map at President Donald Trump’s urging.