Former Democratic President Barack Obama has weighed in on the rare mid-decade redistricting battles unfolding in several states, voicing support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s cautious approach to revising congressional maps.
Why It Matters
Obama’s comments came as Republican-led efforts in Texas, encouraged by President Donald Trump, aim to strengthen GOP control ahead of next year’s elections. Texas is poised to approve a new congressional map on Wednesday that could deliver five additional seats to the GOP in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In response to Texas, Newsom kicked off a Democratic-led redistricting effort in California aimed at offsetting Republican gains in the House. The redistricting process works differently in California than in Texas, requiring voters’ approval to redraw congressional maps mid-cycle.
Newsom and Democrats have urged voters in the Golden State to green-light their move, saying it’s necessary to push back against Republican gerrymandering. Newsom has also repeatedly said that he would call off his redistricting push if Texas Republicans did the same.
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Associated Press
What To Know
“I believe that Governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach,” Obama said Tuesday during a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, according to excerpts obtained by The Associated Press.
“He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it. We’re only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers,” Obama added, paraphrasing Newsom’s previous comments on the issue. “Otherwise, this doesn’t go into effect.”
The former president went on to say that although “political gerrymandering” is not his “preference,” if Democrats “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.”
Redistricting is a routine process in the United States, but it typically happens every 10 years after a new census is released. Texas Republicans strayed from that this year, when they acted on Trump’s demand to redraw congressional maps in their state ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
AP cited the organizers of Tuesday’s fundraiser as saying that the event raised $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its affiliates. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared at the fundraiser, as did former Attorney General Eric Holder, who leads the NDRC.
The former president also voiced his support for Texas Democrats who fled their state earlier this summer in order to block the quorum Republicans in the state legislature needed to revise congressional districts.
“I am so proud of the [Texas House Democrats] and the work that they’ve done,” Obama wrote on X on August 14. “Their willingness to put themselves on the line to highlight the current assault on our democracy has set an example for what all of us have to do.”
He made his comments in response to a photo Texas Democrats posted to social media showing a beaming Obama appearing on a video call with the group.
What People Are Saying
Texas Democrats wrote on X: “Thank you, President @BarackObama, for joining Texas House Democrats today. Your words reminded us why we broke quorum: Democracy isn’t self-executing. It requires us to stand up and fight for it. We’re honored by your support.”
Newsom said in a speech last week: “We need to stand up—not just California. Other blue states need to stand up.”
Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement responding to Newsom: “Gavin Newsom’s latest stunt has nothing to do with Californians and everything to do with consolidating radical Democrat power, silencing California voters, and propping up his pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream. Newsom’s made it clear: he’ll shred California’s Constitution and trample over democracy – running a cynical, self-serving playbook where Californians are an afterthought and power is the only priority.”
What Happens Next
California Democrats unveiled a proposal that could give the party an additional five U.S. House seats in a bid to win the fight to control of Congress next year. If voters approve the plan in November, it could erase nearly every Republican House member in the coastal state.
Democrats currently hold 43 of the state’s 52 House seats. If the proposal is greenlit, the number of Democratic-held seats could go up to 48, leaving just four Republican-controlled districts.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 8/20/25, 3:38 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and context.
