Aug. 21 (UPI) — The California Supreme Court has rejected a Republican challenge to Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts, a move the Democrat is pursuing as retaliation against Texas for approving maps that favor Republicans.

The court issued its refusal Wednesday, the same day Texas state Republicans passed maps that are expected to produce five additional GOP seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to a note on the decision in the docket, “Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief.”

The ruling was issued two days after four California state Republican lawmakers filed the lawsuit against Democratic lawmakers who had introduced legislation on Monday to initiate the state’s redistricting.

The litigation comes amid something of a congressional redistricting arms race that kicked off with Texas.

Congressional maps are generally redrawn once a decade based on new Census Bureau data, with the next census scheduled for 2030. Democrats are accusing Texas Republicans of redrawing their maps now under pressure from President Donald Trump to help ensure the GOP maintains its control of the House following next year’s midterm elections. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the congressional chamber.

Newsom has been among the most vocal critics, and has vowed to redistrict California to neutralize those seats to be gained in Texas. Other states on both sides of the political aisle have suggested they might do the same.

The lawsuit was filed by Republican state Sens. Tony Strickland and Suzette Martinez Valladares and Assemblymembers Tri Ta and Kathryn Sanchez, who have pledged to continue their fight despite the California Supreme Court decision.

“We will continue to challenge this unconstitutional power grab in the courts and at the ballot box,” they said in a statement. “Californians deserve fair, transparent elections, not secret backroom deals to protect politicians.”