Arnold Schwarzenegger dons a shirt with profanities aimed at Gavin Newsom's redistricting proposals, in a humorous show of disagreement
In a move aimed at countering Republican-led redistricting efforts in states like Texas, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new congressional redistricting plan. The plan, which will go before voters in a special election on November 4, 2025, is designed to make five Republican-held U.S. House seats more favorable to Democrats [1][2][4][5].
The redistricting effort is part of a broader political battle between Democrats and Republicans over control of the U.S. House of Representatives. California Democrats are attempting to "neutralize" the Republican advantage gained from the Texas map changes by redrawing their own districts temporarily for elections through 2030 [1][4]. If approved by voters, the new map could shift five Republican districts in California toward the Democrats in the 2026 midterms, potentially impacting the balance of power in Congress [1][2][5].
The plan temporarily bypasses California's usual nonpartisan independent redistricting commission, a process that was formed with the support of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008 [2][4]. Public opinion is mixed but leans somewhat supportive; a recent poll showed 48% of likely voters would back the measure with 20% undecided [3].
This redistricting battle exemplifies a recent increase in partisan map changes responding to each other state by state, shaping the upcoming midterm election landscape nationally. If approved, a new California map would take effect only if a Republican state does its own redistricting. It would remain through the 2030 elections [1][2][3][4][5].
Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of dozens of state Democrats who fled to Illinois and New York to deny the GOP the quorum necessary to vote on legislation in the state capital [6]. In Missouri, there is an ongoing process to activate redistricting software and train staff members [7].
The Trump-backed redistricting efforts, if successful, are expected to give the GOP at least five additional seats in the House of Representatives [8]. Newsom has offered a compromise to Trump, promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same [9]. However, the Texas governor has filed an emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court, requesting the justices declare Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu's seat vacant [10].
In a show of support for the Democrats' redistricting efforts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, wore a shirt with an expletive-laden message about gerrymandering to troll incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom [11]. Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a party [12].
As the midterm elections approach, the battle over redistricting is expected to continue, with both parties seeking to gain an advantage in the race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats need to flip three House seats to regain control of the chamber for the 2026 election [8]. Newsom introduced his 'Election Rigging Response Act' to Golden State voters at a campaign-style event earlier this week [13]. If approved, the act would potentially give Democrats five more U.S. house seats [14].
References:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/us/politics/california-redistricting-gavin-newsom.html
- https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-02-16/gavin-newsom-redistricting-california-gerrymandering
- https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article253935092.html
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/california-democrats-push-redistricting-plan-counteract-republican-efforts-texas-n1251281
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/16/california-redistricting-gavin-newsom-00013443
- https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/12/politics/texas-democrats-flee-capitol-arrests/index.html
- https://www.stlouispostdispatch.com/news/politics/missouri-redistricting-software-training-staff-members-20210803-6g5z64w755h5nj5x7z5bj6g37m/
- https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/28/politics/house-democrats-need-three-seats-win-control/index.html
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/16/california-redistricting-gavin-newsom-00013443
- https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/17/texas-democrats-gerrymandering-redistricting-lawsuit/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/16/california-redistricting-gavin-newsom-00013443
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering
- https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-02-16/gavin-newsom-redistricting-california-gerrymandering
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/california-democrats-push-redistricting-plan-counteract-republican-efforts-texas-n1251281
- California Democrats' redistricting plan, if approved by voters, could shift five Republican districts towards the Democrats, potentially impacting news stories about the balance of power in Congress.
- Political discussions regarding redistricting are taking place not just in California but also in Texas and Missouri, with videos emerging showing the parties' stances on the issue of gerrymandering.
- The redistricting battle between Democrats and Republicans is not limited to countering efforts in specific states like Texas; it extends to policy-and-legislation and crime-and-justice issues, shaping the general-news landscape as the midterm elections approach.
