California’s top Assembly Republican is pushing a plan to divide the state in two, describing it as a “two state solution” to ongoing redistricting battles, Politico reported.

Assemblymember James Gallagher of Yuba City said Tuesday that his proposal would create a new state including most of Northern California, the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire. The move would separate inland, Republican-leaning areas from coastal, Democratic strongholds.

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

Gallagher plans to brief reporters Wednesday on his proposal, which he framed as a response to Democrats’ efforts to redraw congressional maps.

Past efforts to split California have repea

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