Gary Grumbach is an NBC News legal affairs reporter, based in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin defended California’s redistricting efforts while criticizing Republicans’ own efforts as unconstitutional. “If they’re going to do this and continue doing this nonsense, which is unconstitutional and illegal, we’re going to be forced to do it ourselves in other states,” Martin said in an interview with NBC News, referencing GOP redistricting efforts.
Asked whether two unconstitutional acts make 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 Prop 50 ballot measure, which would allow the state to redistrict to favor Democrats in the midterm elections. The move came in response to Republicans’ redistricting efforts in Texas to favor the GOP, which sparked redistricting battles in state legislatures across the country. “What they’re trying to do is steal the upcoming election, to rig the maps in a way that give them an unfair advantage, right?” Martin said of Republicans. “And that is wrong, but it’s also unconstitutional and illegal.” “So I would say this is not your grandfather’s Democratic Party that just rolled over and said, ‘Well, you know, it’s wrong. They shouldn’t be doing it,’” he added. “Well, you know, gosh darn 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 asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker if there was still room for the Democratic Party to consider former first lady Michelle Obama’s “When they go low, we go high” philosophy. “I would love to go back to that, but politics 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 the vote on California’s redistricting measure and the governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey. The Virginia attorney general’s race, too, gained national attention last month after violent text messages from Democratic nominee Jay Jones resurfaced amid rising concerns over political violence. Jones has apologized for the texts, in which he suggested that a Republican lawmaker get “two bullets to the head,” but Republicans repeatedly hammered on the scandal, also trying to use it to weigh down Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger. Asked how Martin viewed his role in vetting Democratic candidates, he said, “We obviously need to do a better job vetting our candidates.” He called Jones’ comments “indefensible” but noted that Jones had apologized. “I do believe that he’s evolved,” Martin added later. “He certainly understands why it was wrong. And again, now Virginians will have to decide whether or not it’s disqualifying. It’s not up to me to make those decisions.” Democrats’ final election push comes as efforts to reopen the government remain stalled on Capitol Hill. The shutdown is poised this week to become the longest in U.S. history. In the interview with NBC News, Martin blamed Republicans for the shutdown, arguing they were continuing to “evade any sort of responsibility.” “Let’s be honest about who bears the responsibility here,” he added later. “Democrats bear no responsibility.” An NBC News poll released Sunday found that more registered voters blamed Republicans for the shutdown. The poll indicated that 52% of registered voters thought that President Donald Trump and/or Republicans were more to blame for the shutdown, compared to 42% who thought Democrats were more to blame. Democrats have been urging Republicans to negotiate on 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 have pushed for a bill to temporarily extend spending at the same levels before discussing health care negotiations. “I’m proud of the Democrats for standing up and fighting for health care in this country, because it’s not a privilege, it’s a right,” Martin said.
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