Charles Munger Jr., pictured at center, at the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento, California, on March 3, 2013. Rich Pedroncelli/AP/File
As mentioned by CNN
In California, the enigmatic heir Charles Munger Jr. has emerged as one of the most formidable opponents of Governor Gavin Newsom in the fight over the state’s district boundaries.
When a lawsuit by Arizona Republicans to dissolve their commission threatened to derail California’s five-year redistricting cycle, Munger rallied former allies and prepared to confront state authorities.
“I am a fan of redistricting reform”
Now Munger has intensified his campaign against Newsom and the California Democratic Party in the November contest, which could shape the future course on Gerrymandering and influence the state’s political landscape before the end of the current presidential term.
Newsom has pushed a plan to temporarily circumvent the lines drawn by the Commission, aiming to create several additional seats for Democrats in the House of Representatives. He is firmly convinced that California must “fight fire with fire” after maps in Texas and other states were redrawn under pressure from national factors.
If Proposition 50 gains support, the independent district lines could return in 2031. However, Munger and his critics warn that such a step could threaten the longevity of reforms against gerrymandering.
Munger, who for more than a decade was a central figure in California politics before stepping away in 2016, has already spent more than $30 million defending reforms he had supported earlier.
“Not diminishing the significance of the funding he provided to the state party and Republican candidates, I consider his advice more valuable than the dollars he donated”
Other influential figures also described Munger as a “modest” philanthropist with a cunning political approach. He preferred to stay low-profile, but he always wore one of his distinctive butterfly lapel pins – a symbol of the balance between science and politics and a commitment to principled conduct in his dealings with colleagues.
According to Rob Stutzman, California’s state strategist, Munger aroused distrust from the Tea Party’s right-wing forces due to his commitment to a broader conservative foundation. He also stressed that a successful California party should consider expanding its base beyond its traditional electoral support.
“Munger was always viewed with suspicion by the right, because he was a Republican with a flexible renewal under one banner. He understood that a successful party in California needed to broaden its base beyond its modest core.”
As part of the reforms, Munger supported modernizing the state’s educational system and funded the creation of the Commission on Redistricting, responsible for lines of legislative and congressional boundaries. He also helped bridge the gap between politics and documentary art, funding the creation of the film “Gerrymandering” and distributing it to Californians, which added political weight to the topic.
“Common Cause will not be bought”
As part of the Yes on 50 campaign, Munger’s name is often mentioned in connection with Trump, but his allies insist: the aim is to defend core reforms, not pressure specific candidates or state processes. They emphasize that his finances support transparency and independence of the redistricting process, not an external dictate.
“I choose the second path”
In his public remarks, Munger emphasizes that his main strategy now is to defend the Commission on Redistricting, even if it means clashing with powerful forces on both sides of California’s political spectrum. His stance continues to shape the debate over the state’s boundaries and voters’ voices and leaves a mark on the political landscape until the end of the current term.
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