Staff Reporter
California Republicans are stepping into one of the most politically sensitive fights of the year — the state’s redistricting battle — but they are not all choosing the same allies. On one side is Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor and Hollywood star whose call to “terminate gerrymandering” has gained momentum. On the other side stands Donald Trump, whose polarizing brand of politics leaves California Republicans wary of his involvement.
📌 Story Highlights
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Schwarzenegger redistricting campaign aims to stop Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new maps.
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Trump remains unpopular in California, leaving Republicans divided on his role.
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GOP leaders stress independent commissions and “good government” messaging.
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Newsom frames the ballot fight as a referendum on Trump.
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Schwarzenegger emerges as the face of anti-gerrymandering activism.
Republicans Keep Trump at a Distance
For California Republicans, the redistricting issue is already complicated. Many want no part of Trump’s shadow in a state where he lost by 20 percentage points.
“Republicans in California aren’t talking about Trump and redistricting because it’s bad politics,” said Jon Fleischman, strategist and former California GOP executive director.
Assembly Republican Caucus chair James Gallagher made his position clear on the floor of the legislature:
“Trump was wrong to push gerrymandering in Texas.”
His successor, Heath Flora, when asked if Trump’s presence would help in California’s redistricting fight, simply said:
“I don’t know.”
Veteran GOP strategist Rob Stutzman, a former aide to Schwarzenegger, put it more bluntly:
“Trump’s a 40 percent guy in California at best. The politics there are obvious.”
Newsom Uses Trump as a Target
Democrats, meanwhile, are leaning heavily into Trump as their foil. Gov. Gavin Newsom has released ads casting Trump as the face of gerrymandering and portraying California’s new maps as a necessary response. For Democrats, keeping Trump in the spotlight is a winning strategy.
This puts Republicans in an awkward position. While Trump encouraged Texas Republicans to draw districts that favored their party, California Republicans are now forced to argue the opposite — calling for fairness and independent commissions.
Instead of matching Democrats’ partisan push, Republicans are framing the debate in terms of “good government” and “democracy.” Their campaign messaging warns of efforts to “destroy fair districts” and describes Newsom’s plan as a “direct attack on democracy.”
Schwarzenegger Redistricting Role Grows
In this environment, Arnold Schwarzenegger has reemerged as an influential voice. Once a deeply unpopular governor, Schwarzenegger has rebuilt his reputation through viral videos slamming Trump and promoting bipartisan cooperation.
He has been spotted in a T-shirt reading “Terminate Gerrymandering” — merchandise also sold through his Arnold’s Pump Club platform. His message is clear: redistricting should not be controlled by politicians.
Former California GOP chair Jim Brulte confirmed that Schwarzenegger has privately expressed strong opposition to political gerrymandering:
“He really believes that politicians shouldn’t be drawing their own lines and shouldn’t pick their constituents.”
Current GOP strategist Jessica Millan Patterson, who is leading opposition to the ballot measure, praised Schwarzenegger’s broad appeal:
“He brings people from every walk of life to the table, and he always feels like he’s fighting for you.”
Popularity vs. Polarization
While Trump continues to draw loyal supporters nationally, his California presence remains toxic for Republicans hoping to court independents. Schwarzenegger, however, offers something different: near-universal name recognition, cross-party respect, and a consistent stance against gerrymandering.
“Time is incredibly forgiving,” Patterson observed, pointing to how public figures such as George W. Bush were vilified in office but later embraced.
“Schwarzenegger has always been independent, even as governor. That credibility matters now.”
Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, whose congressional seat is at risk under the new maps, underscored the same message:
“Voters clearly say they prefer independent redistricting and don’t want to go back to political gerrymandering.”
Looking Ahead
How visible Schwarzenegger will become remains an open question, but his influence is undeniable. Political strategist Fleischman summed it up:
“You take somebody with virtually 100 percent name ID and put them on television. It would be huge.”
As the Schwarzenegger redistricting campaign ramps up, Republicans in California are betting that the former governor’s moderate image will resonate far better than Trump’s combative politics. For now, the GOP’s best hope in the fight over California gerrymandering is a familiar figure — the “Terminator” himself.
The battle over California gerrymandering has become more than a fight about district lines — it’s a test of political branding. With Donald Trump sidelined by his unpopularity in the state and Arnold Schwarzenegger stepping forward as the face of independent redistricting, Republicans are making a calculated choice. By leaning on Schwarzenegger’s credibility and broad appeal, the GOP hopes to distance itself from partisan warfare and rally voters around fairness and democracy. Whether this strategy succeeds will determine not only the fate of California’s congressional maps, but also the future of Republican politics in a state where Trump’s influence remains more liability than asset.
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