Schwarzenegger Criticizes Newsom’s Proposition 50
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently expressed strong opposition to Governor Gavin Newsom’s plans regarding redistricting in California. On his HBO show, Schwarzenegger characterized Proposition 50, which aims to create Congress-approved boundaries for the upcoming midterm elections, as a significant mistake.
The proposition seeks to circumvent existing constitutional provisions that grant independent agencies the authority to oversee redistricting. Instead, it would allow for political manipulation, following similar redistricting actions by Republicans in Texas.
“I think Prop 50 is a big scam. They suggest we’re fighting because, apparently, President Trump poses a threat to democracy,” he stated. “But really, they want to undermine the California Constitution, dismantle independent commissions responsible for drawing district lines, and shift power back to politicians.”
Schwarzenegger, who was governor in 2010 and participated in the state’s ballot process, highlighted an independent agency’s role in redrawing districts every decade based on the census to reflect population changes.
This year, Texas broke tradition by approving redistricting outside of the census cycle, which resulted in an additional Republican seat in the state’s House of Representatives.
He argued that independent redistricting has led to better performance from California politicians and warned that changing this approach would diminish public power. “I’m a Republican, but I’m not a political hack. My focus is on serving the people, not the party,” he insisted.
Schwarzenegger added, “We’ve worked too hard to ensure that the power remains with the people of California. We can’t allow that to be taken back.”
Newsom is actively supporting Prop. 50, which has garnered backing from various Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former President Obama. In a statement from August, Newsom emphasized that Californians are being targeted by the Trump administration and that Prop. 50 provides a means for residents to stand up and reclaim accountability in the face of threats to democracy.
