Top California Democrat Runs For Gerrymandered Seat Reportedly Drawn Specially For Him

One high-ranking California Democrat is already cashing in on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting gambit.

California state Senate president pro tempore Mike McGuire announced his run Thursday for the newly-redrawn 1st congressional district following voters approving Proposition 50, Newsom’s gerrymander initiative, on Nov. 4. McGuire’s expected announcement comes after reports alleged that the top legislative Democrat had the district created for him in exchange for supporting the new House map.

“No one has done more to help Democrat Mike McGuire’s career than Mike McGuire himself,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Christian Martinez said in a statement. “He’s only in it for himself and using taxpayer dollars to bankroll his climb up the political ladder.”

Proposition 50’s passage could flip as many as five Republican-held seats into Democrat’s column during next year’s midterm elections. The redistricting effort could cost taxpayers as much as $235.5 million, according to the California Assembly’s Republicans.

One of the most vulnerable Republicans following voters approving the gerrymander is California Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who has represented a sprawling northern California district in Congress since 2013.