Dr. Dre is backing a “vital” $360 million school bond in Compton — but Rep. Maxine Waters is tied to a campaign urging voters to kill it.
The unusual political spat has erupted ahead of Tuesday’s vote on Measure CPT, a proposal that would fund construction of a new high school and continue efforts to modernize ones across the city.
As the rap legend publicly rallies for the measure, Waters appears on a campaign mailer urging voters to oppose it.
The mailer, titled “Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Sample Ballot and Voter Recommendations,” was created by her campaign committee, Citizens for Waters, and advises residents to vote “no” on Measure CPT.
Meanwhile, school officials were stunned by the recommendation.
Micah Ali, president of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees, said he was “aghast” upon seeing the mailer.
“It has left me baffled, and many in the community are trying to understand why she would position herself in this manner,” Ali told Politico.
Ali said that if the measure fails, it would mean “limiting Compton’s future.”
The bond would fund the replacement of Dominguez High School, an aging campus whose alumni include rapper Eazy-E, comedian Paul Rodriguez, and former professional athletes Richard Sherman and Tyson Chandler.
Supporters argue that Measure CPT would continue the district’s push to transform outdated schools. Compton Unified has already poured tens of millions into upgrading infrastructure and building two new high school campuses.
Centennial High School, one of the new campuses, hosted both Waters and Dr. Dre at a groundbreaking ceremony in May.
The hip-hop icon, known for songs like “Straight Outta Compton” and “Compton’s N The House,” has also given $10 million for a new performing arts center at Compton High School.
Kendrick Lamar attended the May event, where Dr. Dre joked that he attended school only “sometimes.”
Now the music mogul is calling on residents to support the latest school project.
In a statement released Friday, Dr. Dre said he was “proud to stand with Compton in support of Measure CPT.”
“A ‘yes’ vote would provide a bond to support the modernization of Dominguez High School just as we’ve done with Compton and Centennial High Schools,” he said.
“The students of Compton deserve to study under safe conditions and in supportive learning environments. Measure CPT is about keeping that momentum alive and demonstrating to every student that their potential matters. Now is the time to keep building. An investment in our schools is an investment in the future of Compton.”
Some residents are confused by the mailer, especially since the fine print states it was produced by Citizens for Waters, not an official party group, and that its contents do not necessarily reflect support or opposition to the issues listed.
According to Federal Election Commission records cited by Politico, Citizens for Waters has raised about $734,000 since January 2025. Donors include billionaire Ron Burkle, media mogul Byron Allen, and executive Mellody Hobson.
