Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, once the last Republican elected to lead the Democratic-controlled state, is now taking a stand against Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to abolish the state’s independent redistricting commission. The move comes amid a national debate over congressional district maps and the potential for partisan gerrymandering. Schwarzenegger, through his spokesperson Daniel Ketchell, has denounced Newsom’s efforts, stating that the governor ‘calls gerrymandering evil, and he means that.’ Ketchell emphasized that Schwarzenegger believes it is ‘truly evil for politicians to take power from people.’
Newsom, a front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, seeks to redraw California’s congressional maps, aiming to add five more districts that are more favorable to Democrats. This effort is part of a countermeasure against the Republican-led attempts in Texas to create five new right-leaning districts, a move supported by President Donald Trump. The Texas legislature’s decision to redraw the state’s maps has been met with resistance from Democrats, who have fled the state to avoid voting on the proposal. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to arrest and prosecute any lawmakers who return to Texas after the absence.
Schwarzenegger, who had a significant role in establishing California’s nonpartisan redistricting system through constitutional amendments in 2008 and 2010, has consistently opposed any attempt to undermine the system. He has criticized both the Texas and California moves, arguing that ‘racing to the bottom’ in partisan gerrymandering would only lead to further polarization. ‘He’s opposed to what Texas is doing, and he’s opposed to the idea that California would race to the bottom to do the same thing,’ Ketchell stated.
Newsom’s plan faces significant challenges, as changing the state’s constitutional framework requires a two-thirds majority in the Democrat-controlled legislature, which is not guaranteed. The governor also faces backlash for allowing the Republican-controlled Texas legislature to hold its own redistricting vote, which he said could result in a ‘fire with fire’ scenario. ‘We will offer them the opportunity to make judgments for themselves, again, only if Texas moves forward,’ Newsom remarked, highlighting that the people of California would have the final say on the matter if Texas acts.
The broader implications of the redistricting battle extend beyond California and Texas. The Republican push in Texas is part of a larger strategy to maintain the GOP’s slim House majority and mitigate potential losses in midterm elections. However, the move has sparked legal and political debates, with the state’s Democratic lawmakers facing potential charges for their absence during the redistricting process. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger’s opposition underscores a growing concern among some Republicans and independent analysts about the long-term effects of partisan gerrymandering on American democracy.
As the redistricting debates continue, the situation highlights the deepening ideological divide in American politics and the increasing role of states in shaping electoral outcomes. The conflict between Schwarzenegger and Newsom reflects a larger trend of political figures leveraging their influence to shape the future of congressional representation and the integrity of the electoral process.