Fearing their political careers could come to an abrupt end, Republican lawmakers in so-called “Blue states” are frantically both begging and warning Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson to call off the drive for gerrymandering that is taking place in Texas.
Concerned that Democratic governors will respond in kind, Politico is reporting that some GOP House members believe that Trump’s endorsement of the plan is equivalent to signing their “political death warrants.”
According to Politico’s Jonathan Martin, “How could Trump not grasp that California Gov. Gavin Newsom would respond by swinging with Ohtani-like fervor at an opportunity to insert himself in the national debate, build a trans-continental fundraising list and demonstrate his mettle to Democratic primary voters?” by handing him the gerrymander cudgel.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), who could lose his seat if Newsom makes good on his countermove, attempted to defend Trump by suggesting to Politico, “He [Trump] was not given the full picture of the ultimate consequences.”
According to the report, the same Blue state Republicans who won in 2024 that provided the majority margin that kept Johnson as House speaker, are the ones most likely to get booted.
“That includes House veterans such as Reps. Darrell Issa and Ken Calvert, both of California, but also younger, promising Republican lawmakers such as Kiley, 40, and Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.), 38,” the report states with Lawler, a frequent cable TV guest, complaining, “This creates a situation where you’re going to lose blue state members, which over the long haul are critical to keeping the majority.”
California’s Kiley added, “I certainly hope sanity can prevail. The onus is on the speaker, along with the minority leader, to get this chaos under control,” before confessing he has spoken with the leadership by stating, “I’ve made my views very clear on the matter, privately and publicly.”
Politico’s Martin added, “California Republicans, I’m told by California GOP officials, are being promised only legal, political and financial support from the House GOP — effectively a promise to help in the redistricting arms race rather than trying to stymie it altogether.”
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