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California Democrats’ Secession Dreams Ignore the Inland Exodus That Would Gut Indi-California’s Economy

Some publications list Redding among the best places to live in California - Credit livability.com
Some publications list Redding among the best places to live in California - Credit livability.com

Social media is once again lighting up with calls for California to secede from the United States. The pitch from liberal Democrats and coastal elites is simple and seductive: California’s economy is so massive that, standing alone, it would rank as the world’s 4th- or 5th-largest economy — bigger than Japan, India, or the United Kingdom.



With a 2025 nominal GDP of $4.25–$4.3 trillion (representing roughly 13.8% of the entire U.S. economy), the argument goes, an independent California could chart its own course, keep every tax dollar at home, and stop “subsidizing red states.”


It sounds empowering on a tweet. Peel back the hype, however, and the reality for business owners, farmers, manufacturers, and families in Shasta County and across inland California is far different — and far less rosy.


The Coastal Dream vs. the Inland Reality

Pro-secession voices focus almost exclusively on the raw GDP number. They point out that if California were its own country today, it would sit comfortably among the global top five, with world-class tech, entertainment, agriculture, and ports. No more federal oversight on environmental rules, immigration, or taxes. Full control over its own destiny.

But here’s what they conveniently leave out: Not everyone in California is signing up for that ride. In fact, millions of Californians — particularly in the rural, agricultural, and inland counties — are already organized and ready to secede from the new country of California and rejoin the United States.


Inland California Is Ready to “Rejoin the Union”

Shasta County made national headlines in November 2025 when its Board of Supervisors became the first to formally back Assembly Joint Resolution 23 — the “Two-State Solution” sponsored by Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher.

Here is the proposed map of Gallagher’s Two-State Solution:

Assemblyman James Gallagher's 2 state split solution - Credit krcrtv.com
Assemblyman James Gallagher's 2 state split solution - Credit krcrtv.com

The proposal would create a new inland state from 35–36 counties (Northern California, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and Inland Empire) while leaving the coastal strip as the remnant “California.” This inland state would be one of the most populous in the nation and would take the vast majority of California’s agricultural land, water resources, and conservative-leaning taxpayers.


Even more aggressive is the New California proposed state solution led by Paul Preston. His maps would leave the coastal “country of California” with fewer than 5% of the state’s total real estate.

Paul Preston New California split map - Credit: americancommunitymedia.org
Paul Preston New California split map - Credit: americancommunitymedia.org

The New California movement has held constitutional conventions (including recent ones in the Redding area).


And lastly, there is the long-running State of Jefferson effort that continues to build local support. These groups are actively preparing the legal and political groundwork to declare loyalty to the United States the moment a Calexit push begins.

State of Jefferson Map - Credit: https://i0.wp.com
State of Jefferson Map - Credit: https://i0.wp.com

What Would Be Left Behind?

Regardless of which of these models gains the momentum needed to rejoin the union if you strip away the inland counties under either Gallagher’s plan or Paul Preston’s New California framework, and coastal California would be left with:

  • A microscopic land base (under 5% in the most aggressive scenarios) → massive loss of agriculture, water rights, timber, energy, and mining.

  • Sky-high costs to replace federal programs (Medicare, Social Security, disaster relief, etc.).

  • No national defense — requiring a brand-new military at enormous expense.

  • Accelerated brain drain and business exodus.

  • No more federal tax dollars flowing into coastal special interests.


The glittering GDP number secession supporters promote depends on the entire current state — including the inland regions that want nothing to do with independence.


The Bottom Line for Shasta County Business and Families

The Calexit fantasy is a direct threat to our way of life, our farms, our small businesses, and our access to the American market. Inland California is not only unwilling to go along — it is actively preparing the exit ramps back into the Union with concrete proposals like Gallagher’s Two-State Solution and Paul Preston’s New California plan. Most voters here, hopes California does secede, because they believe it will be far easier to rejoin the republic than it is to form their own 51st state.


The next time you see a viral post claiming “California would be better off alone,” remember the maps above. Shasta County and dozens of other inland communities are ready to declare: “We’re staying American — with or without you.”



Shasta Unfiltered will continue tracking these developments. Business owners and residents with insights are encouraged to reach out.



Sources:

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