In a new advertisement released on Tuesday, former President Barack Obama lent his support to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting initiative, cautioning against Republican strategies to secure congressional seats in a way he suggests could compromise the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections.

“California, the whole nation is counting on you,” Obama says in the 30-second spot. “Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield enough unchecked power for two more years. With [Proposition] 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks.” 

This ad marks a significant move in Newsom’s campaign to promote his redistricting proposal, which is set to be put to a vote by California residents in a special election scheduled for next month. The initiative aims to counter Republican redistricting maneuvers, particularly those seen in states like Texas.

Governor Newsom revealed in August his intention to hold this special election in November. The ballot measure, known as Proposition 50, would enable Democrats to establish a new congressional district map for the 2026 elections. The measure proposes that the state legislature could override the independent redistricting commission to implement these new maps.

Obama expressed his endorsement of Newsom’s proposal soon after it was unveiled, underscoring his commitment to ensuring fair electoral processes in the face of partisan redistricting tactics.

Obama approved of Newsom’s plan shortly after it was announced in August. 

“Since Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House and gerrymandering in the middle of a decade to try and maintain the House despite their unpopular policies, I have tremendous respect for how Governor Newsom has approached this,” Obama said in a post on the social media platform X. “He’s put forward a smart, measured approach in California, designed to address a very particular problem at a very particular moment in time.”

Recent polling shows a majority of California voters saying they approve of Newsom’s redistricting push, but there has been public pushback. 

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who championed the independent commission when he was governor in 2008, warned last month that Democratic leaders should not “become [President] Trump” in their effort to push back on Republicans on redistricting. 

 “I mean, two bad behaviors don’t make a right behavior. Two wrongs don’t make a right,” the former governor said.