Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of attempting to undermine voter-approved redistricting reforms by sidelining the state’s independent commission ahead of the midterm elections.
In an interview Sunday on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the California Republican argued that Newsom’s proposal would “go against the constitution of California” and hand Democrats sweeping advantages in congressional races.
“This is exactly what the politicians and the Democrats have been trying to do this entire time,” McCarthy said. “The voters of California put a proposition on the ballot, Proposition 20, and it passed with 61% of the vote to create a citizens commission to do redistricting.”
McCarthy claimed the governor’s plan, introduced late last week in the legislature, was written in Washington by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “They just introduced them this Friday when no one’s paying attention,” he said. “The DCCC sent them these lines.”
He warned that the changes would dramatically reduce competition. “Instead of having nine competitive seats, it will only have two,” McCarthy said. “So it is not a five-seat change. This is a nine-seat change.”
The former Speaker also criticized how the proposed maps were drawn, pointing out they split counties 16 times and cities more than 100 times without public hearings. “There was not one hearing; there was no debate, no input,” he said. “Even the legislature in California does not have input.”
McCarthy noted continued public support for the independent commission. “A poll last week by Politico shows 63% of Californians support keeping it,” he said. “You are an independent, a Democrat, a Republican. What this would mean would take away any competitive race where the voters could actually have a swing on who could be elected.”
He urged Californians to push back. “This is wrong to go against the Constitution,” McCarthy said. “Stop the politicians from going after the voters. You have the power. This is your opportunity to say no.”
Newsom’s plan is expected to face both legal and political challenges. McCarthy emphasized that voters will have their say in the November election.
