Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican and Hollywood star, is campaigning against his state’s gerrymandering efforts.
Led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Proposition 50, a ballot measure aimed at redrawing California’s congressional districts, came as a response to Texas redrawing lines to favor Republicans.
What did Schwarzenegger say about redistricting?
Last week, Schwarzenegger took a stand on Newsom’s efforts during a speaking engagement at the University of Southern California. His office created an ad from his remarks, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
“That’s what they want to do, is take us backward. This is why it is important for you to vote no on Proposition 50,” the “Terminator” actor says in the ad. “The Constitution does not start with ‘We, the politicians.’ It starts with ‘We, the people.’”
Shortly after Newsom revealed his plan for redistricting, Schwarzenegger posted a picture of himself working out while wearing a T-shirt that says “Terminate Gerrymandering.”
As CalMatters reported, the state redrew district lines back in 2008 and 2010 through ballot measures. The goal back then was to model bipartisanship. Things are different now. Does that mean California will swing leftward and support Newsom?
LA Times reporter Seema Mehta told Fox News that Schwarzenegger doesn’t have to launch an official campaign to make a difference in the Golden State.
She noted the “high tech camera” crews that filmed Schwarzenegger, saying, “If we don’t see that in an ad on television, I would be shocked.”
“So he might not be a part of the official campaign, but he is certainly vocally and publicly opposing it,” Mehta said.
“There are very few people in the state,” she noted, “who are as well known at home who don’t have to do the traditional politics thing.”
The left pushes back
Democratic officials who also enjoy strong name ID are doing the same.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is on a book tour for her new political memoir “107 Days,” praised Newsom’s efforts in her interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday night.
“It is absolutely the right way to go,” she said. “Part of what we’ve got to, I think, challenge ourselves to accept is that we tend to play by the rules. But I think this is a moment where you got to fight fire with fire.”
An ad featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., backing Prop 50 was released on Tuesday.
“California, you know we don’t back down from a fight and this November, the fight belongs to you,” Ocasio-Cortez says in the ad.
“If (President Donald Trump) gets away with it, all bets are off for our health care, our paychecks and our freedoms. With Prop 50, we can stop him,” she adds in the clip, reposted by Newsom.
Berkeley IGS Poll found that 46% of California voters think it’s a good idea and 36% don’t. Another poll from Emerson College showed a slightly higher approval of 51% while 34% of voters disapproved and 15% remained undecided.
“California voters don’t always follow left-wing philosophy as witnessed in numerous statewide ballot measures including the tough on crime Proposition 36 recently passed by voters,” as Joel Fox opined for California Globe.