Name: California labor leader: redistricting a chance to ‘clap back’ at Trump
Uploaded: 2025-10-30T00:07:42.381Z
Duration: 4 min 15 s
Description: With Election Day approaching, California labor leaders are urging voters to support the state’s redistricting effort, framing it as a pushback against Trump-era policies.

With Election Day approaching, California labor leaders are urging voters to support the state’s redistricting effort, framing it as a pushback against Trump-era policies.

California

David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, spoke about the state's redistricting initiative, describing it as a way for Californians to express their dissatisfaction with the current federal administration. Huerta emphasized that many see the new congressional map as an opportunity to shift the political balance in California, potentially reducing Republican representation.

Huerta also discussed the union's significant involvement in the campaign, noting widespread volunteer activity and voter outreach. He stressed that the redistricting effort is part of a broader movement to ensure that working people have a stronger voice in both state and national politics.

California labor leader: redistricting a chance to ‘clap back’ at Trump

OK, so we're talking redistricting in California. We're joined now by one of its biggest proponents. David Huerta is president of Service Employees International Union California, and he's in our studios in the Bay Area. Mr. Huerta, thank you so much for joining us. Elevator pitch to the viewers across the country. Why should Californians be approving this new map? How is it of benefit to the people of California and potentially to the rest of the country? Well, and thank you for having me, Ed. I mean, first of all, I think this is an issue for Californians that is very personal. We've seen what this administration has done, both in its actions and how it has been. You know, we saw the summer in Los Angeles, and a lot of people are really having a significant opinion on those actions. And I think a lot of folks right now feel that this is the opportunity to clap back at this administration and really voice their displeasure with what's happening, coming out of D.C. and coming out of this administration and what they're doing. And so they see this as an opportunity to clap back. And that's what we're doing. And we're making—they're voting in, they're responding, and making this happen. And I get—when I talk to folks, they're saying, yes, I'm 50. 4.8 million Californians, I believe, have cast their ballots already for what would essentially do this, if you look here on screen. You got about nine Republican—you have nine congressional districts that are Republican right now, of the 53. This new map on the right would make it a lot bluer across California. And you mentioned the situation in Los Angeles over the summer. You were arrested at one point during anti-ICE protests there in L.A. On the streets of that city right now and other parts of the state, is it as concerning to you as it was then, or has that issue dropped down a bit? No, I mean, this issue continues to be a concern for all Californians, and not just Californians, but for people across the country. You've seen what they've done in D.C. You see what they do in Chicago. You've seen what they've done in Portland and Memphis. Across this country, they are using violence as a means to try to silence people. That's what they did to me. They were trying to silence my ability, my right to have—exercise my First Amendment right. They tackled me. They pepper-sprayed me. They arrested me in an attempt to try to silence me. But I will not be silenced, and our community will not be silenced. And that's exactly what this is at this moment in time, is that people are using their voice and they're using their voice to their vote to vote yes on 50. And I think that's what really is coming down to, is how people are responding to this election right now is how they're responding to this administration. So part of the reason I wanted to talk to you is because you and your union—how many members you got in your union across the state? We have approximately here in California, we're about 750,000 strong. Yeah. So that's a big number. And you can swing a few votes in any one direction. That's why you were featured at the launch of this redistricting campaign, and that's why any Democrat who'd like to be governor of California in the future is keeping you on speed dial. And I'm curious. You've got Katie Porter running. You've got Villaraigosa, the former L.A. mayor. You've got Javier Becerra, the former health secretary and congressman. And now there's talk of Senator Alex Padilla getting involved. Should Padilla be jumping into this race? Well, look, we encourage a robust debate as to who should be the next governor of California. But SEIU members are leaning in. They're participating. We've had over 12,000 volunteers, or 12,000 shifts in volunteers. We've knocked on over 100,000 doors. We've sent over 1.5 million, I think it is, last number of text messaging. We've been able to make direct voter contacts with over 25,000 voters across the state. So we're doing the work right now to make sure that this passes. And when we pass this on November 4th, and it is going to pass, we will start focusing on how do we win in November of 2026. And part of that debate will be about a governorship, but it will also be about, again, clapping back at this administration who, in all honesty, has failed working people throughout the country. David Huerta leads SEIU California, one of the big kingmakers out there in the Golden State. We thank you for spending some time with us. We will be talking to you a lot over the next year and in the years to come. Thank you for being here. We appreciate it. Thank you, Ed.

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