This isn’t “your grandfather’s Democratic Party that just flipped.”
WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin defended California’s redistricting efforts while criticizing Republican efforts as unconstitutional.
“If they’re going to do this and continue to do this nonsense, which is unconstitutional and illegal, then we’re going to have to do it ourselves in other states,” Martin said in an interview with NBC News, referring to the GOP’s redistricting efforts.
Asked whether two unconstitutional laws constitute 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 ballot measure 50, which would allow the state to redistrict in favor of Democrats in the midterm elections. The move was in response to Republican efforts to redistrict in Texas in favor of the GOP, which has sparked redistricting battles in state legislatures across the country.
“What they’re trying to do is steal the upcoming election and rig the maps in a way that gives them an unfair advantage, right?” Martin said of Republicans. “This is wrong, but it is also unconstitutional and illegal.”
“So I would say this is not your grandfather’s Democratic Party, which just said, ‘Well, you know, this is wrong,'” he added. They shouldn’t do that.” “Well, oh my God, oh my God, if we’re not willing to stand up and fight for what we believe in.”
His comments echoed those of Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., when “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker asked him whether there was still room for the Democratic Party to consider former first lady Michelle Obama’s “when they go low, we go up” philosophy.
“I would love to go back to that, but the policy has changed,” Newsom said. “The world has changed. The rules of the game have changed.”
Both interviews come as Democrats make their final pitches to voters before they head to the polls Tuesday in several high-profile state elections, including votes on a redistricting measure in California and gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
The Virginia attorney general race also received national attention last month after violent text messages from Democratic candidate Jay Jones surfaced amid growing concerns about political violence.
Jones apologized for the text messages, in which he suggested a Republican lawmaker would take “two bullets to the head,” but Republicans have repeatedly attacked the scandal and also tried to use it to weigh down Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.
When asked what Martin thought of his role in vetting Democratic candidates, he said, “Clearly we need to do a better job of vetting our candidates.” He called Jones’ comments “indefensible” but noted that Jones had apologized.
“I think it’s an evolution,” Martin later added. “He certainly understands why that’s wrong. And again, Virginians are now going to have to decide whether or not to be excluded. It’s not up to me to make those decisions.”
Democrats’ latest election push comes as efforts to reopen the government remain stalled on Capitol Hill. This week’s closure is expected to become the longest in US history.
In an interview with NBC News, Martin blamed Republicans for the shutdown, arguing that they continue to “evade any kind of responsibility.”
He later added: “Let’s be honest about who bears responsibility here.” “Democrats bear no responsibility.”
An NBC News poll conducted Sunday showed that more registered voters blamed Republicans for the shutdown. The poll indicated that 52% of registered voters believe that President Donald Trump and/or Republicans are more responsible for the shutdown, compared to 42% who believe that Democrats bear the greatest responsibility.
Democrats are urging Republicans to negotiate Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year, which would raise the cost of health care premiums. Republicans pushed for a bill to temporarily extend spending at the same levels before discussing health care negotiations.
“I’m proud of Democrats for standing up and fighting for health care in this country, because it’s not a privilege, it’s a right,” Martin said.