Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants to ‘Terminate’ Gavin Newsom’s Gerrymandering in CA [WATCH]

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he is preparing to oppose Governor Gavin Newsom’s effort to suspend the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission, signaling a potential political battle over congressional maps in the nation’s most populous state.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger indicated Friday he is ready to “terminate” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to pursue mid-decade redistricting in the state. pic.twitter.com/IlBHciujzI

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 15, 2025

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Schwarzenegger, who remains the last Republican to serve as California’s governor, posted on social media Friday that he was “getting ready for the gerrymandering battle.”

The post included a photo of Schwarzenegger lifting weights while wearing a T-shirt that read “terminate gerrymandering.”

I’m getting ready for the gerrymandering battle. pic.twitter.com/Lbgr1bnGw8

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) August 15, 2025

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The announcement comes as Democratic leaders in California are advancing a plan that could shift the state’s congressional districts to favor Democrats.

According to the proposal, as many as five additional Democratic-leaning U.S. House seats could be created.

Newsom appeared in Los Angeles on Thursday alongside congressional Democrats and legislative leaders to unveil the redistricting initiative.

The governor described the effort as a direct response to Republican redistricting efforts underway in Texas.

“Today is liberation day in the state of California,” Newsom said during the event.

“Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back.”

He pledged to “meet fire with fire” through a mid-decade redistricting plan.

Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, are pushing to add up to five GOP-friendly congressional seats in Texas.

The move is part of a broader national strategy to solidify the party’s narrow House majority heading into the 2026 midterms.

Newsom said his own plan is intended as a counter to Trump’s request that Texas Republicans find additional GOP-leaning districts.

California’s path, however, faces additional legal hurdles.

Unlike Texas, California has a voter-approved constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission.

Newsom’s plan would require undoing those amendments through a statewide special election this year.

To trigger the special election, two-thirds of the Democratic-dominated legislature must approve the measure, with a vote expected as soon as next week.

Democratic leaders have expressed confidence they can secure the votes to place the proposal before voters.

“Here we are in open and plain sight before one vote is cast in the 2026 midterm election, and here [Trump] is once again trying to rig the system,” Newsom said.

He insisted the plan is “not complicated,” framing it as a temporary adjustment to California’s redistricting process.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized Newsom’s plan, stating that he is willing to “shred California’s Constitution and trample over democracy” to gain political advantage.

Newsom defended his approach, promising transparency and voter participation.

“We’re working through a very transparent, temporary and public process. We’re putting the maps on the ballot and putting the power to the people,” he said.

The governor also used Thursday’s appearance as a fundraising kickoff, aiming to raise the substantial resources needed to campaign for the ballot measure.

Analysts note that the independent redistricting commission, created in 2008 and expanded in 2010, continues to have strong support among California voters.

Newsom and Democratic leaders insist the commission would be restored after the 2030 census, arguing the proposed change is only for the next three election cycles.

Schwarzenegger has emerged as one of the highest-profile critics of the plan.

His spokesperson, Daniel Ketchell, told Politico, “He calls gerrymandering evil, and he means that. He thinks it’s truly evil for politicians to take power from people. He’s opposed to what Texas is doing, and he’s opposed to the idea that California would race to the bottom to do the same thing.”

As governor, Schwarzenegger was instrumental in the passage of the constitutional amendments that established California’s independent redistricting commission. His role in the reforms remains a cornerstone of his political legacy.

Jack Pitney, a professor of American politics at Claremont McKenna College, noted the challenges facing Newsom.

“Most people don’t really think about an independent commission much, one way or another. And that’s both an opportunity and a challenge for Newsom,” Pitney said.

“It’s going to take a lot of effort and money to energize Democrats and motivate them to show up at the polls,” he added, describing the effort as “all about motivating people who don’t like Trump.”

The looming battle over redistricting in California now pits two of the state’s most recognizable political figures, Schwarzenegger and Newsom, against one another in a high-stakes fight that could influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

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