Jasmine Crockett says GOP ‘trying to cheat’ in 2026 midterms after Trump ally buys Dominion

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Rep Jasmine Crockett accused Republicans of plotting to cheat in the 2026 midterm elections, claiming their efforts are being strengthened by new leadership at Dominion Voting Systems.

Speaking on the Defending Democracy podcast with Marc Elias on November 10, Crockett pointed to Dominion’s recent acquisition by Liberty Vote, a company led by Trump supporter Scott Leiendecker, who has close ties to conservative election integrity groups.

Jasmine Crockett says she remains vigilant ahead of midterm elections

Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett said she remains on alert ahead of next year’s elections after a company owned by Scott Leiendecker bought Dominion Voting Systems last month.

“I personally believe that that ally purchased Dominion so that he could potentially play with the machines,” Crockett said on the Defending Democracy podcast, referring to Leiendecker. “Because we know that they’re trying to cheat by changing the lines for the midterms, and I think they’re trying to solidify their cheat with the voting machines.”

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Dominion since the 2020 election, calling the company “very suspect.” Several conservatives also accused Dominion of rigging the vote in Joe Biden’s favor. The company later settled a defamation lawsuit with Fox News in 2023 for $787.5 million.

Moments later, Crockett added that she doesn’t “think that [Trump] wants to make the ballot box accessible. And I don’t know that he’s above cheating.” She continued, “In fact, I would argue that he is a cheater.”

Host Marc Elias agreed, responding with a laugh, “He’s definitely not above cheating.”

Proposition 50 shifts California maps to favor Democrats

During the podcast, Crockett also celebrated the passage of Proposition 50 in California last week. The measure, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will reshape the state’s congressional districts and could create up to five new Democratic-leaning seats. “Big ups to Gov. Newsom,” she said.

Crockett’s accusations came as California voters passed a ballot initiative that could reshape next year’s battle for the House majority. Proposition 50 temporarily sidetracks California’s nonpartisan redistricting commission and returns control of congressional maps to the Democrat-led state legislature

The new map puts the left-leaning state at the center of a high-stakes political fight over redistricting, pitting Trump and the GOP against Democrats. The measure could create up to five additional Democratic-leaning House seats, countering a new Republican map in Texas designed to add up to five right-leaning districts.

Governor Newsom warned before the vote that the measure would be decisive for congressional control. “If we lose here, we are going to have total Republican control in the House, the Senate, and the White House for at least two more years,” he said. “If we win here, we can put a check on Trump for his final two years."

Trump and Republicans are pursuing a rare mid-decade redistricting effort to strengthen their narrow House majority and retain control in the 2026 midterms—a cycle when the party in power typically loses seats. Their strategy aims to avoid a repeat of 2018, when Democrats reclaimed the House during Trump’s first term.