DNC chair defends party's redistricting push: This isn't 'your grandfather's Democratic Party that just rolled over'

Source: NBC News

Nov. 2, 2025, 4:21 PM EST


WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin defended California’s redistricting efforts while criticizing Republicans’ own efforts as unconstitutional. “If they’re going to do this and continue doing this nonsense, which is unconstitutional and illegal, we’re going to be forced to do it ourselves in other states,” Martin said in an interview with NBC News, referencing GOP redistricting efforts. Asked whether two unconstitutional acts make a right, Martin said, “In this case, I would say yes.”

His comments come as Californians will decide Tuesday whether to approve the state’s Prop 50 ballot measure, which would allow the state to redistrict to favor Democrats in the midterm elections. The move came in response to Republicans’ redistricting efforts in Texas to favor the GOP, which sparked redistricting battles in state legislatures across the country.

“What they’re trying to do is steal the upcoming election, to rig the maps in a way that give them an unfair advantage, right?” Martin said of Republicans. “And that is wrong, but it’s also unconstitutional and illegal.”

“So I would say this is not your grandfather’s Democratic Party that just rolled over and said, ‘Well, you know, it’s wrong. They shouldn’t be doing it,’” he added. “Well, you know, gosh darn if we’re not willing to stand up and fight for what we believe in.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/democrats-dnc-chair-defends-california-redistricting-push-rcna241412