Newsom and Schwarzenegger Spar Over California Redistricting

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently took a jab at former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding a zoning campaign, casually pointing out that Danny DeVito, his co-star in “Twins,” is backing Newsom.

This back-and-forth between the two has flared up again, particularly concerning California’s Proposition 50. On Monday, Newsom made a social media post, criticizing Schwarzenegger while highlighting that DeVito had donated $1,000 to the “Yes on 50” campaign. This came shortly after Schwarzenegger announced on social media that he was gearing up to fight against gerrymandering as the country anticipates a proposal for new congressional district maps.

In his post, Newsom shared images of himself alongside Schwarzenegger and DeVito from their 1988 film, showcasing the divide between him and Schwarzenegger regarding political views.

Schwarzenegger has committed to opposing specific reforms over the next 50 years, advocating for the establishment of an independent committee to handle district line drawing, rather than leaving it to elected officials.

Meanwhile, Newsom is fervently supporting Proposition 50, a voting initiative slated for November. However, some critics argue that this move could “end fair elections” in California.

Newsom’s social media activity coincides with the anticipation of a formal congressional map proposal. He has previously claimed that California’s independent committee could harm Democratic representation in the House. In Texas, the political scene is equally contentious, with a new congressional map recently approved, favoring Republican interests.

This exchange between Newsom and Schwarzenegger highlights their ongoing rivalry, with Schwarzenegger often criticizing Newsom’s progressive policies and financial decisions. In contrast, Newsom tends to emphasize issues left unresolved from Schwarzenegger’s administration, illustrating a broader disagreement over what California’s future should look like.