WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin defended California's redistricting efforts while criticizing Republicans' own efforts as unconstitutional.
“If they're going to do this and continue to do this crap that is unconstitutional and illegal, we're going to be forced to do it ourselves in other states,” Martin told NBC News, referring to GOP redistricting efforts.
Asked whether two unconstitutional laws give the right, Martin said, “In that case, I would say yes.”
His comments come as Californians will decide Tuesday whether to approve the state's Proposition 50 bill, which would allow the state to redistrict to Democrats in the midterm elections. The move comes in response to Republican efforts to redistrict Texas in favor of the GOP, sparking redistricting battles in state legislatures across the country.
“They're trying to steal the upcoming election, rig the cards in a way that gives them an unfair advantage, right?” Martin said of Republicans. “And it’s wrong, but it’s also unconstitutional and illegal.”
“So I would say it's not your grandfather's Democratic Party that just turned around and said, 'Well, you know, this is wrong. They shouldn't do that,” he added. “Well, you know, damn if we're not willing to stand up and fight for what we believe in.”
His comments echoed those of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a California Democrat, when asked “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, is there still room for the Democratic Party to embrace former First Lady Michelle Obama's “When they go low, we go high” philosophy.
“I would like to go back to this, 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 heading to the polls on Tuesday in several high-profile state races, including redistricting votes in California and gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
The Virginia attorney general race also gained national attention last month after violent text messages from the Democratic candidate. Jay Jones is born again amid growing concerns about political violence.
Jones apologized for texts in which he suggested the Republican lawmaker would take “two bullets to the head,” but Republicans have repeatedly pressed the scandal, also trying to use it to pin down Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.
Asked how Martin viewed his role in vetting Democratic candidates, he said, “Obviously, we need to do a better job of vetting our candidates.” He called Jones' comments “indefensible” but noted that Jones had apologized.
“I believe he has evolved,” Martin later added. “He certainly understands why it was wrong. And again, now Virginians will have to decide whether it's disqualifying or not. It's not for me to make those decisions.”
Democrats' latest campaign push comes as efforts to reopen the government stall on Capitol Hill. This week's shutdown could be the longest in US history.
In an interview with NBC News, Martin blamed the shutdown on Republicans, claiming they continue to “avoid any responsibility.”
“Let's be honest about who is responsible here,” he later added. “Democrats have no responsibility.”
An NBC News poll A report released Sunday showed more registered voters blame Republicans for the shutdown. The poll found that 52% of registered voters believed President Donald Trump and/or Republicans were more to blame for the shutdown, compared with 42% who thought Democrats were more to blame.
Democrats are calling on Republicans to negotiate Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year, which will raise the cost of health insurance premiums. Republicans have put forward a bill to temporarily extend spending at the same level before discussing health care negotiations.
“I'm proud of the Democrats who stand up and fight for health care in this country because it's not a privilege, it's a right,” Martin said.
