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Schwarzenegger opposes Prop 50 redistricting measure
Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday entered the national battle over U.S. House control, urging voters to reject a California ballot proposal to rejigger districts that he said would erode democratic principles and allow politicians to "take the power away from the people."
LOS ANGELES - Arnold Schwarzenegger has joined the national debate over U.S. House control by speaking out against California's Proposition 50.
The initiative, backed by Democrats, aims to temporarily override the state's independent redistricting commission and redraw political maps to favor the Democratic Party.
Schwarzenegger argues this move would "take the power away from the people" and erode democratic principles.
The backstory:
California and Texas, the nation’s two most populous states, have become the focus of a partisan struggle for control of the U.S. House.
California's Democratic-backed Proposition 50 is seen as a direct response to a previous effort by Republicans in Texas.
RELATED COVERAGE: Redistricting California: Newly proposed congressional maps released
The goal of the proposal is to temporarily set aside maps drawn by an independent state commission and replace them with new, dramatically reshaped districts designed by Democrats.
If approved, this could potentially reduce Republican-held House seats in the state by five and boost the Democratic majority to 48 of California’s 52 congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
What they're saying:
Schwarzenegger described the proposal as "insane," stating, "it doesn’t make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump, to become Trump. Two wrongs don’t make a right."
He also posted on social media with a t-shirt that said "terminate gerrymandering," and "I’m getting ready for the gerrymandering battle."
RELATED COVERAGE: California redistricting fight gets heated as lawmakers debate new congressional maps
California Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the proposal, framing it as a necessary response.
He said, "we can’t stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country."
Newsom added a message directed at President Donald Trump: "donald trump, you have poked the bear and we will punch back."
Bill Whalen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, commented on Schwarzenegger's political influence, stating, "I don’t think you want to run against Arnold Schwarzenegger."
RELATED COVERAGE: Newsom unveils plan for redistricting California
What's next:
It is currently unclear how involved Schwarzenegger will be in the campaign against Proposition 50.
The Source: This report is based on statements from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Governor Gavin Newsom regarding California's Proposition 50. The story also includes analysis and a quote from Bill Whalen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, and references Schwarzenegger's social media post on X.