Obama backs California’s redistricting response to new Texas maps

Former President Barack Obama is backing California’s plan to counter mid-decade redistricting efforts by Republicans in Texas.

At a fundraising occasion Tuesday night time for the Nationwide Democratic Redistricting Committee, Obama mentioned the social gathering must “reply successfully” to Republican makes an attempt to gerrymander.

“I’ve needed to wrestle with my choice, which might be that we don’t have political gerrymandering, however what I additionally know is that if we don’t reply successfully then this White Home and Republican-controlled state governments all throughout the nation, they won’t cease, as a result of they don’t seem to consider on this concept of an inclusive, expansive democracy,” Obama mentioned on the occasion that included former Legal professional Basic Eric Holder and former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

His remarks got here a day earlier than Republicans within the Texas Home handed a invoice to redraw congressional traces that might add 5 extra GOP seats in Congress after subsequent 12 months’s midterm elections.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom final week referred to as on state lawmakers to go a poll measure to redraw congressional traces in response to new redistricting plans in Republican-led states like Texas.

After Wednesday night time’s vote in Austin, Newsom tweeted: “It’s on, Texas.”

Whereas not prohibited, it’s unusual for states to place ahead maps in between decennial census counts.

Obama on Tuesday cited Newsom’s plan, saying he has “large respect” for the proposal which might permit redistricting that favors Democrats.

“Texas is taking route from a partisan White Home that’s successfully saying: Gerrymander for partisan functions so we are able to keep the Home regardless of our unpopular insurance policies,” Obama mentioned.

“So I consider that Gov. Newsom’s method is a accountable method. He mentioned that is going to be accountable. We’re not going to attempt to fully maximize it. We’re solely going to do it if and when Texas and/or different Republican states start to tug these maneuvers,” he added.

The Nationwide Democratic Redistricting Committee echoed Obama’s help in a social media submit Wednesday night time, calling Newsom’s plan “a good and accountable response to Trump’s unprecedented energy seize.”