Barack Obama is stepping back into the political spotlight, throwing his support behind California Governor Gavin Newsom as Democrats respond to aggressive redistricting moves by Republicans in Texas.
At a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard this week, Obama backed Newsom’s plan to revise California’s congressional maps — but only if Republican states, like Texas, push forward with their own.
“I believe that Gov. Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach. He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it,” the former president said, according to remarks obtained by the Associated Press. “We’re only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers. Otherwise, this doesn’t go into effect.”
The Texas GOP has already made its move. Under pressure from President Donald Trump, Texas lawmakers are advancing a new congressional map that could create five more Republican-leaning seats — a clear attempt to solidify control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms. Democrats in Texas temporarily blocked the vote by fleeing the state, but the fight is back on as lawmakers reconvene in Austin.
Newsom’s response? A Democratic redistricting proposal that could flip five more House seats in California — giving Democrats control of 48 out of 52 seats. That plan would reverse the state’s independent redistricting rules, which voters approved in 2010 to reduce partisan influence.
Obama acknowledged the controversy, saying “political gerrymandering” is not his “preference,” but warned that Democrats must act if Republicans keep redrawing maps for political gain.
“If we don’t respond effectively, then this White House and Republican-controlled state governments all across the country, they will not stop, because they do not appear to believe in this idea of an inclusive, expansive democracy,” Obama said.
The fundraiser raised $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, led by Obama’s former attorney general Eric Holder. The group has been involved in legal battles over Republican-drawn maps across the country. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also attended the event.
California’s proposal is already stirring up political tension. A legislative hearing on the plan broke into a shouting match Tuesday, and a committee advanced the measure along party lines. Democrats don’t need Republican votes to pass it. A final vote is expected by Thursday, followed by a Nov. 4 special election for voter approval.
Newsom and top Democrats say the plan is temporary. They promise to return redistricting power to the independent commission after the 2030 census — and only if states like Texas go through with partisan maps.
Obama backed that condition, saying it’s the right move for the moment.
“And we’re going to do it in a temporary basis because we’re keeping our eye on where we want to be long term,” Obama said. “I think that approach is a smart, measured approach, designed to address a very particular problem in a very particular moment in time.”
With Republicans pushing hard in red states and Democrats starting to counter in blue ones, the gerrymander wars are fully underway — and Obama just took a side.
