Former Texas Senate candidate and failed 2020 Democratic presidential contender Beto O’Rourke has called for Democrats to adopt ruthless strategies, including partisan gerrymandering, to regain political power. O’Rourke, speaking during an interview with CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ host Jake Tapper, emphasized the need for the party to be absolutely ruthless in their pursuit of power, urging fellow Democrats to ‘match fire with fire’ when facing Republican redistricting tactics.
The comments come in the context of ongoing debates about redistricting strategies, particularly in response to the Texas proposal to redraw congressional maps to favor the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms. President Trump has publicly supported such a move, which could add up to five GOP-friendly districts in the Lone Star State. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom of California has proposed repealing a state law that mandated nonpartisan redistricting, shifting power to the state legislature to redraw maps. This approach would allow for partisan redistricting, a tactic widely used by Republicans in states like Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina.
O’Rourke’s endorsement of Newsom’s plan signals a shift in Democratic strategy, as it would enable states to create districts that favor their party’s candidates. While O’Rourke’s rhetoric highlights the need for Democrats to be more aggressive in redistricting, it also raises questions about the ethical implications of partisan gerrymandering. His comments echo similar statements made by Newsom himself, who, during a July press conference, suggested the need to ‘act holier than thou’ or ‘recognize the existential nature that is this moment,’ implying that Democrats should be more proactive in shaping the political landscape.
The independent redistricting commission in California operates under state law, and Newsom’s proposal faces significant political and legal challenges. The state legislature would need to either pass a law allowing mid-decade redistricting or seek a constitutional amendment, both of which are unlikely to pass without substantial public support. While O’Rourke’s call for Democrats to embrace partisan gerrymandering has drawn criticism from some on the left, others argue that the strategy is necessary to counter Republican efforts to dominate the electoral map.