Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as California's governor from 2003-2011, said he is "monitoring" the unfolding Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas.
Schwarzenegger, who governed California as a Republican, has long championed anti-gerrymandering efforts and is "monitoring the situation [in Texas] right now," according to his spokesperson Daniel Ketchell.
In this Oct. 15, 2008, file photo, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses a Yes on Proposition 11 press conference that was also attended by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, seen just left of the governor, in front of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles.
David McNew/Getty Images, FILE
His comments come as Texas House Democrats have fled the state in protest of GOP-led redistricting efforts. The Texas House of Representatives failed again on Tuesday to move forward on enacting the GOP's new congressional map, which could net Republicans between three and five seats in next year's midterm elections -- seats that could make a difference as Republican work to maintain their small majority in the U.S. House.
"He believes gerrymandering is evil, no matter which party does it, and he has opposed it everywhere since his first unsuccessful campaign in 2005 in California. He considers the successful campaigns in 2008 and 2010 some of his proudest moments. For the politicians, this is about the next election. For him, this is a 20-year battle to 'terminate gerrymandering' regardless of the party at fault," said Ketchell, referencing the actor's well-known role in "The Terminator."
MORE: Sen. Cornyn says FBI granted request to locate fleeing Texas House Democrats
As governor, Schwarzenegger pioneered Proposition 11, which set up the state's nonpartisan redistricting commission. He continued to push for similar measures in states across the country after he left office. In 2022, he even filed an amicus brief when the Supreme Court took up major gerrymandering case Moore v. Harper, arguing skewing congressional districts for partisan gains threatens democracy.
Last Friday, the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, his University of Southern California public policy outpost, hosted a webinar with political scholars and key players in the fight -- including Texas House Rep. Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democrats. Wu is among the group of Texas House Democrats who faces threats of expulsion from Gov. Greg Abbott after leaving the state.
In this Oct. 3, 2017, file photo, former California Governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after the court heard arguments against gerrymandering.
AFP via Getty Images, FILE
According to a source familiar with last week's panel, Wu said one of the dangers of gerrymandering is that elected officials don't feel obligated to listen to their constituents because their districts have been drawn very safe -- echoing national frustrations.
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"Nobody will be listened to," Wu said. "Everything will just be party politics."
Even still, Wu, and much of his cohort, is standing behind Democratic governors who are floating the potential of redrawing their congressional districts a little bluer.
MORE: Texas redistricting: What's at stake as Republicans aim to pick up 5 House seats
In response to Texas' efforts, current California Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week that he had spoken with state legislators and members of Congress about holding a special statewide election on Nov. 4 for Californians to vote on new congressional maps -- ones that would likely favor Democrats.
A potential anti-gerrymandering campaign from Schwarzenegger tees up a potential face-off between the former and current governor -- an added adversary as Newsom battles Texas Republicans and the White House head on.
Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist who worked for Schwarzenegger, said he doesn't anticipate his former boss' passion has waned, he doesn't think any clash would be personal.
"He's passionate about fighting gerrymandering. I'm sure he finds the partisan gerrymandering machinations of both parties an affront to healthy Democracy," Stutzman said. "Arnold's not shy about anything, but I doubt it would be personal."