EXCLUSIVE! California’s Assembly Democrats had a strategy session discussing Gov. Gavin Newsom and D.C. Democrats’ gerrymandering plan. Southern California News Group has obtained a leaked Zoom transcript of the meeting.
SPEAKER ROBERT RIVAS: Call to order. Would someone like to pray? No? What about the pledge? Hmm. Not that either. Ok, then I guess we’ll get start… Assemblyman Jackson, you have a question?
ASSEMBLYMAN COREY JACKSON: Mr. Speaker, I think now would be a good time for us to acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of this land.
RIVAS: This is a Zoom, Corey. And I’m in a hurry. I’m meeting a few lobbyists for drinks in 30 minutes. As I was saying, let’s get started. There’s only one item on the agenda today, which is to discuss the California Democrat response to Texas’s mid-decade congressional redistricting, which is coming from the Governor, I think. Members, as you all know, it is up to us to draw new maps that would give California Democrats five… is it five?… Yes, five new seats. I believe the governor is here to give us the latest.
STAFF: Mr. Speaker, the governor’s office said he could no longer make the meeting.
RIVAS: French Laundry again? (Chuckles and groans from the audience). I’m kidding. It’s just frustrating that we are here literally saving democracy to stop the Texas power grab by counter-gerrymandering. We have to get around the independent redistricting commission, work within a very tight timeline, and, of course, draw the actual lines. It’s a lot of work!
STAFF: Mr. Speaker?
RIVAS: What is it now?
STAFF: Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is here to discuss the plan.
REP. ZOE LOFGREN: Mr. Speaker, members. My colleagues in Congress and I know you’re in a tough position and took the liberty of drawing new maps for you. But for legal reasons we need you to say they’re your maps. Or just look confused when asked. Whatever is most natural.
RIVAS: That’s highly inappropriate, Congresswoman. California voters implemented the independent redistricting commission because they don’t trust politicians to draw their own district lines. They think voters should choose their lawmakers, not the lawmakers choosing their voters. While I appreciate you coming here today, I must insist that the map drawing be an open process where members of the public can provide oversight and input.
LOFGREN: Mr. Speaker, as we mentioned to Senate Pro Tempore McGuire, we think you’ll find these maps more than agreeable, with opportunities for new representation in both of your areas.
RIVAS: You drew a district for me?
LOFGREN: Mr. Speaker, I wouldn’t dare do anything so cynical. I’m merely saying that there are new opportunities in your area, and in Pro Tem McGuire’s.
RIVAS: I understand! Have your office send over the maps. Meeting adjourned!
(Grumbling in the crowd)
ASSEMBLYWOMAN GAIL PELLERIN: Mr. Speaker, I really think we have more to discuss!
RIVAS: (Sigh) Fine. Are there any questions?
PELLERIN: Yes, as a former elections official and as chair of the Assembly Elections Committee, I’d like time to review the maps and give the public ample time to comment. I’m just seeing these maps now for the first time and I have questions. For example, what’s Modoc County? Is that really in California? I’ve never heard of it.
LOFGREN: It’s basically Oregon, but yes, technically in California.
PELLERIN: Your plan is to put those people in the same district as Marin and Mendocino Counties. That’s not fair.
LOFGREN: It’s not a match anyone wants, but, how do I put this delicately, we were doing an alliteration thing: Marin, Mendocino, Modoc and… um… McGuire.
PELLERIN: I see. Well, I’d like more time to review this. And we still need to schedule a hearing, post the maps publicly and open up for public comment.
LOFGREN: One step ahead of you! The hearing is scheduled for a few days from now and we’ve already received thousands of public comments.
PELLERIN: Now you wait a minute! I’m the chair of the committee and only I can schedule a hearing.
LOFGREN: We called ahead and said we were with Nancy Pelosi. You’d be surprised how much that works.
PELLERIN: Mr. Speaker, this is an outrage.
RIVAS: Zoe made a lot of good points, Gail. This is a bold plan. I like it. By the way, which sounds distinguished: Rivas for Congress or Elect Rivas?
PELLERIN: (Swearing to herself) Ok, Congresswoman. If we received thousands of comments, what were they commenting on exactly if the maps aren’t public?
LOFGREN: Robert, is there going to be a problem?
RIVAS: Come on Gail. From what I’ve seen of these maps, they’re perfect!
ASSEMBLYMAN ISAAC BRYAN: I see that there’s a new district over by Whittier. I think my constituents would like to see that district closer to Culver City. How final are these maps?
LOFGREN: KCRA’s Ashley Zavala is tweeting about them right now, so pretty final.
RIVAS, PELLERIN & ASSEMBLYWOMAN MIA BONTA: Ashley Zavala?!
LOFGREN: Calm down, you three. She can’t find you here. (Looks around) What? You think we haven’t seen the videos of you three running from her? We have X accounts too. Sheesh, you would never survive walking to vote in the Rayburn Tunnel.
BRYAN: Is that something the DCCC would like to see? Me bravely walking to vote from an office in Rayburn or any of the congressional office buildings? Many consider me the Southern California Speaker, after all.
(Groans from the audience)
BRYAN: So is that a ‘No’ on new maps?
LOFGREN: For Pete’s sake, how many others want districts for them?
(Sounds hands going up)
LOFGREN: Everybody! Well, I guess I can talk to Nancy and Hakeem and see what we can do about it…
RIVAS: Meeting adjourned!
Matt Fleming is a columnist for the Southern California News Group. Follow him on X @FlemingWords. Email him at flemingwords@gmail.com