NEWSOM Sells Out California Ahead of Presidential Run
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The big debate over redistricting has taken quite another turn. It looks like California Governor Gavin Newsom is ramping up the gerrymandering fight by vowing to redistrict several GOP congressional districts in his state. If Newsom’s redistricting plan goes into effect, Democrats may gain five more seats. Is this the start of Gavin Newsom’s 2028 presidential campaign?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his fellow state Democrats are threatening a redistricting plan that would eliminate more than half of the current GOP-held congressional districts amid a nationwide battle over gerrymandering.
Republicans currently hold nine seats in California, compared to the Democrats' 43. Under Newsom's proposed plan, Democrats would pick up five more seats.
"We strongly believe that this map serves the best interest of California voters, while also attempting to push back against the corrupt scheme occurring in Texas and other Republican-majority states where Republicans – doing the bidding of their DC party bosses – are considering adopting a clearly racially gerrymandered, partisan map at the expense of their voters," the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commission (DCCC) said last week.
I think we can all see who this particular map will serve, and it’s not the California voters so much as it is California Democrats – and ultimately all Democrats nationwide – if Newsom’s gambit succeeds.
We recently told you how Texas was having issues with some of its Democrat lawmakers over proposed redistricting. Now California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to get into the redistricting game too, redrawing his state’s congressional districts in an effort to create more majority-Democrat districts. Someone should probably point out to Governor Newsom what California law states. While in Texas, the legislature sets the congressional districts. Some people may like or not like it, but it is the current law in Texas. California, however, has an independent bipartisan commission that determines its congressional district maps. The state voted for this process less than 20 years ago.
Now, Gavin Newsom is trying to force this unprecedented move to redraw the state’s districts. The language needs to be approved by the California state legislature. If pushed forward, the state can hold a special election this November to change the law temporarily. This would let the legislation redraw the maps without a bipartisan independent commission and give California Democrats extra congressional seats.
Clearly Gavin is eyeing a 2028 presidential run. It’s probably the worst kept secret in politics. But I’m guessing many California voters have just been blindsided by their governor. Imagine a law you voted for not that long ago could now be upended, regardless of your feelings, because your governor is eyeing the White House.
In fact, according to a recent poll from Politico, 64% of the state wants the power to remain in the hands of that independent commission. But that’s not stopping Newsom from politicizing it. He's taking an already politicized map and trying to make it more political by redrawing the lines in favor of his party. It reeks of political gamesmanship. Particularly when Newsom essentially claims he’s trying to protect democracy from Trump – who was legitimately elected to the presidency – and he’s going to force a hasty vote to change a law in his favor to do it. That’s not how democracy works.
Not to mention a special election could end up costing California as much as $250 million. This is a risky dice roll for Newsom. If he loses, and Californians don't vote for this redistricting, there'll certainly be egg on his face. We’ll continue to update you as the situation progresses.
Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of Newsom’s gerrymandering plans. Plus, ACLJ Senior Counsel for Global Affairs (and former U.S. Secretary of State), Mike Pompeo joined us to discuss yesterday’s meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. And ACLJ Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs, Jeff Ballabon joined us live from Jerusalem to discuss the latest updates in Israel.
Watch the full broadcast below: