Schwarzenegger Leads Bipartisan Push Against California Redistricting Ballot Measure
Schwarzenegger Leads Bipartisan Push Against California Redistricting Ballot Measure
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has forcefully spoken out against a partisan effort to redraw California’s congressional districts, a measure voters will decide in a November special election. Addressing hundreds of students at the University of Southern California’s Democracy Day, Schwarzenegger condemned Proposition 50, which he argued undermines democratic principles by allowing politicians to manipulate district boundaries for political gain.
The proposed redistricting, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to increase Democratic representation in Congress, ostensibly to counter similar efforts by Republicans in states like Texas. However, Schwarzenegger, a long-time advocate for political reform and independent redistricting, urged students to vote against the measure. He criticized the attempt to dismantle the independent commission he helped establish during his governorship, stating, “They want to dismantle this independent commission. They want to get rid of it under the auspices of we have to fight Trump. It doesn’t make any sense to me because we have to fight Trump, [yet] we become Trump.”
Schwarzenegger emphasized the importance of good governance and transcending political polarization, themes he also promotes through his institute at USC. The event, which included recognition of former members of the independent redistricting commission, saw Schwarzenegger’s remarks recorded by the anti-Proposition 50 campaign, hinting at potential use in future advertisements. Meanwhile, student Democrats at the event distributed flyers in support of Proposition 50, arguing it is crucial for blocking perceived efforts by former President Trump to increase Republican power.
The former governor also reflected on the fragility of democracy, drawing parallels to a recent tragic event, and urged students to foster civil discourse despite political disagreements, warning against the escalating divisiveness in the nation’s political climate.
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