What's the alternative, let the red states gerrymander and then just hope and pray that our new Republican-run house does the right thing and outlaws their one advantage in governing?
Newsom isn't doing this in a vacuum, California has had a really well liked nonpartisan districting committee. Texas and other red States have gone with the nuclear option and CA is responding in kind - even more importantly, this is something that has to be voted on by the residents of CA in a special election, rather than by a set of politicians already benefitting from gerrymandering.
I absolutely hate that it has to be done, but as a CA resident I will be voting for it, and I will be pressuring my elected representatives to work towards passing federal legislation outlawing the practice and bringing things to a more even playing field.
The do-nothing alternative is not an option.
How does adopting more progressive candidates in California solve gerrymandering in Texas?