photo credit: Courtesy of https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/
The current California Senate District 2 is represented by Mike
McGuire. He is termed out next year. 

Senator Mike McGuire argues Proposition 50 is a direct response to actions taken in other states.

“Let's first talk about how we got here,” McGuire said. “President Donald Trump called up Texas Governor Greg Abbott and told him to find five Congressional seats, and Governor Abbott did just that. He took a knee and permanently redistricted five congressional seats, disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of African-American and Latino voters.”

McGuire said he believes Trump's influence led to the disenfranchisement of voters in Texas, and that similar actions are being taken in other red states.

“Donald Trump sees the same polls that we all do,” McGuire said. “Those polls show Trump that he can't win. Republicans can't win seats in the midterm elections across this nation, so Donald Trump has to cheat to win Democrats. We didn't pick this fight, but it's not one that we can run from. This was not on our bingo card at the start of the year.”

McGuire said there's a key difference between California's approach and that of other states.

“These new maps that have been adopted are temporary,” McGuire said. “After 2030, California's going to go back to the regular way. Congressional maps are drawn and adopted by the independent redistricting commission. That is an important point. Everything that the Republicans are doing in red states: Missouri, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas— that redistricting is permanent. In California, it's temporary.”

When asked about concerns Proposition 50 might be seen as a power grab or that “two wrongs don't make a right,” McGuire was resolute.

“My belief is this, when Donald Trump rigs an election in one state, now he's rigged the election in three red states,” McGuire said. “It impacts the entire country. In California, voters have a duty to act. Every seat in Congress matters.

The California Senate leader said Prop 50 relates to larger issues regarding power and personal freedoms.

“And it's never wrong to stand up for our Constitution,” McGuire said. “It's never wrong to be able to stand up to those who would destroy America for their own personal power in profit. And candidly, it's never wrong to stand up for a country that values civil rights, the right to reproductive healthcare, where the rule of law matters, and that is what is at stake in this election.”