Former President Barack Obama has stepped back into the political arena to throw his support behind Democratic leaders who are mounting an aggressive response to Republican redistricting maneuvers, particularly in Texas. The move marks one of Obama’s most visible interventions in partisan battles since leaving office and signals the stakes for control of Congress heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
At a fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), Obama praised California Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to push forward a ballot measure—known as Proposition 50—that would temporarily allow the state legislature to redraw congressional districts. The plan is designed to counterbalance the five GOP-leaning seats Texas Republicans carved out through their own mid-decade redistricting bill.
“Over the long term, we shouldn’t have political gerrymandering in America, just a fair fight,” Obama said. “But in this moment, when one side is aggressively bending the rules, Governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible, measured, and smart response.”
Background: Texas Republicans Set the Stage
Earlier this summer, the Republican-controlled legislature in Texas—working closely with allies of former President Donald Trump—approved new congressional maps aimed at strengthening the GOP’s hold on power. Analysts say the changes could secure at least five additional Republican seats in the House, cementing a path for the party to retake control in 2026.
Democrats in Texas tried to resist, with dozens of lawmakers fleeing the state in a bid to block the quorum needed to pass the maps. Despite their efforts, the GOP pressed forward, and Governor Greg Abbott vowed to swiftly sign the bill into law. Critics say the new maps dilute the voting power of urban and minority communities.
California’s Countermove
In response, California Democrats moved quickly to craft a counter-strategy. Proposition 50 would temporarily bypass the state’s independent redistricting commission and allow lawmakers to redraw California’s congressional lines in ways that could create several new Democratic-leaning districts. The measure, however, would require voter approval in a special election scheduled for November 2025.
Governor Newsom defended the controversial plan, calling it a necessary counterweight to Republican “hardball tactics” in Texas. He stressed that California’s independent commission would be reinstated after the 2030 Census, framing the proposal as a short-term fix to preserve fairness.
Obama Steps In
Obama’s endorsement gives the effort a major boost. As the founding figure behind the NDRC, he has long championed fair representation and voting rights. But his remarks this week marked a shift from idealism to pragmatism.
He acknowledged that while Democrats traditionally opposed gerrymandering, refusing to respond now would amount to “unilateral disarmament” in the face of Republican power plays. “This is about defending inclusive democracy,” Obama said. “And in this moment, that means making sure the rules are not stacked permanently against the voters.”
Critics Push Back
Not everyone is convinced. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who helped establish the state’s independent redistricting system, slammed the initiative as a dangerous step backward. “You don’t fix gerrymandering by doing more gerrymandering,” Schwarzenegger warned, urging Democrats to stick to nonpartisan reforms.
Republican leaders echoed the criticism, accusing Obama and Newsom of hypocrisy. “For years, Democrats claimed to be against partisan maps—now they’re trying to rig the system themselves,” said one GOP strategist.
What’s Next?
The battle now moves to the voters of California, who will decide in November whether to approve Proposition 50. The outcome could have sweeping consequences for the balance of power in Washington.
If California Democrats succeed, they could offset Texas’s Republican gains and keep the House majority within reach. If they fail, the GOP’s path to reclaiming the chamber in 2026 becomes far clearer.
For Obama, the fight represents more than just district lines—it’s about the future of American democracy in an era when the rules of the game themselves are up for grabs.
