Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, is challenging the current Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting proposal as he aims to safeguard his political legacy, according to a strategist.

The 78-year-old actor has made a return to the California political arena, catalyzed by Newsom’s decision to hold a special election for voters to decide on new congressional boundaries.

Recently, Schwarzenegger, a Republican, shared a photo of himself exercising while wearing a black t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: ‘F*** the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering,’ featuring a fist in red and blue.

Newsom’s plan, if approved, would involve the replacement of the current nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is responsible for drawing boundaries.

Schwarzenegger, one of the most notable champions of that commission, is taking the fight to Newsom in hopes of protecting his own legacy, according to former Republican strategist Dan Schnur.

He told The Hill: ‘’Schwarzenegger was and is a Republican, but there are certain issues that separate him pretty dramatically from the party mainstream.

‘One of those was his work on climate change legislation, but his reform legacy might be what makes him most proud. He sees it as under threat.’

The Republican hasn’t committed to any formal campaigns and isn’t planning on setting up his own committee, his representative said.

The actor said told the Houston Chronicle earlier this month that both California and Texas are serving power over the public.  

‘It’s not a battle between Democrats and Republicans. This is a battle between the politicians and the people. I go with the people.’ 

‘I just say very simply, it is very wrong what they’re doing to Texas and it is very wrong what they’re trying to do in California. It is not at all serving the people. It is serving the party.’ 

Newsom’s plans are a direct response to a similar Republican led motion in Texas, backed by Trump, which has since passed, as his party look to cling on to their slim House majority in the upcoming midterms. 

The California Democrat – a vocal adversary of Donald Trump – introduced his ‘Election Rigging Response Act’ to Golden State voters at a campaign-style event.

The act, which will go before voters in November, would mean California would temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 if other states – such as Texas – did the same. 

‘We’re giving the people of this state the power to save democracy, not just in California, but all across the United States of America,’ Newsom said. 

Democrats only need to flip three House seats to regain control of the chamber for the 2026 election. 

Newsom encouraged Californians and residents of other blue states to ‘stand up’ against the efforts led by Texas, but are also being considered in other states. 

‘He’s going to lose the midterms, he knows de facto his presidency ends in 17 months,’ Newsom said. ‘Why else would he try to rig the system?’ 

Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same.

‘But if the other states call off their redistricting efforts, we will happily do the same. And American democracy will be better for it.’

With the Trump-backed plot in Texas now passed, Governor Greg Abbott declared that it will create fairer representation in the state. 

In a video to his social media, Abbott called the plan ‘a big beautiful map’ seemingly a reference to Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’. 

If approved, a new California map would take effect only if a Republican state does its own redistricting. It would remain through the 2030 elections. 

After that, Democrats say, they would return mapmaking power to the independent commission voters approved in 2008. 

Trump has urged other Republican-run states to redraw maps, even sending Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to pressure officials there. 

In Missouri, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press, the state Senate received a $46,000 invoice to activate six redistricting software licenses and provide training for up to 10 staff members.

Democratic state lawmakers fled from Texas to deny the GOP the quorum necessary to vote on legislation in the state capital.