"The state Legislature barely had time to put a redistricting measure on the ballot when the first two mailers arrived at my house denouncing the plan as "unconstitutional gerrymandering" and a "politician power grab" that is "weakening our democratic process." Among the people quoted as appearing to reject the measure: Alex Lee, an assemblymember and chair of the Progressive Caucus, who told Politico in July that "trying to save democracy by destroying democracy is dangerous." But Lee, along with nearly every Democrat, voted in favor of the new lines."
"There's no question this is a race to the bottom, a blatantly partisan move to elect more Democrats to Congress from California. It's also one of the few ways opponents of Donald Trump (talk about destroying democracy ...) can counter a blatantly partisan move by Trump's allies to gerrymander districts in Texas to get more Republicans elected."
"Here's the interesting thing: The mailers appear to be funded by Charles Munger Jr, the son of a billionaire investor who portrays himself as a supporter of fair elections. He was a leading proponent of the 2010 law that created an independent commission to draw legislative and congressional districts in California. The Hold Politicians Accountable committee, which paid for one of the mailers, hasn't filed yet with the Fair Political Practices Commission. But Politico reports that Munger Jr. has already put up $10 million. He will no doubt donate more. Charles Munger Sr. was a partner with Warren Buffett in Berkshire Hathaway and a philanthropist. The younger Munger has donated millions to political candidates and causes-and most of his donations have gone to Republicans. According to records on file with the Federal Elections Commission, he put $150,000 into Kevin McCarthy's GOP Senate victory fund, $650,000 to the GOP Congressional victory fund, and is one of the biggest supporters of the Santa Clara County Republican Party."
State legislators placed a redistricting measure on the ballot while mailers immediately criticized the plan as "unconstitutional gerrymandering," a "politician power grab," and "weakening our democratic process." Alex Lee criticized extreme tactics but ultimately, like nearly every Democrat, voted for the new lines. Critics call the plan a partisan move to elect more Democrats from California and a counter to Republican gerrymandering in Texas. The mailers appear funded by Charles Munger Jr., who supported California's 2010 independent redistricting commission and has already contributed $10 million to oppose the measure while giving millions to Republican causes and candidates.
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