On Thursday’s edition of NPR’s Morning Edition, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) attempted to justify Democrat-led redistricting efforts in states like Illinois, Oregon, and New Mexico, claiming they differ from Republican efforts in Texas—because, according to him, Democrats follow the rules.
When pressed by co-host A Martínez on the apparent double standard, Padilla didn’t deny that Democrats have drawn favorable maps. Instead, he leaned into a familiar defense: technicalities and vague accusations.
“When you do redistricting, which we’re required to do every ten years after the Census, there [are] criteria that goes into how the lines are to be drawn. You can’t do it in a discriminatory fashion. That’s part of voting rights and voting rights protections that have existed for decades. Whether Republicans continue to respect those or not, that’s one of the things that folks are watching for.”
Translation: It’s okay when we do it.
Democrats in Illinois sliced up congressional districts to protect incumbents and edge out Republicans. Oregon’s new map was so partisan it sparked an outcry—even from local observers. And in New Mexico, GOP-leaning areas were absorbed into deep-blue districts through tactics designed to minimize Republican representation. In each case, the outcome was clear: Democratic control fortified under the banner of “equity.”
Yet Padilla insists Republican redistricting in Texas is somehow different, hinging his argument on alleged “discriminatory” intent—without offering specifics. This talking point is nothing new. Democrats frequently invoke vague threats to voting rights when Republican-led states assert their constitutional authority over elections, but remain curiously silent when blue states use the exact same tools for political gain.
The truth is, redistricting is inherently political. But the issue here isn’t just who draws the lines—it’s the hypocrisy in how it’s defended. Democrats manipulate the map and call it “protecting democracy.” Republicans do the same and are accused of “undermining voting rights.”
This double standard should concern every American who believes in equal treatment under the law. Because if rules are only enforced when politically convenient, they’re not rules—they’re weapons.
