Maxine Waters

Micah Ali, president of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees, told POLITICO that he was “aghast” when he saw the mailer.

“It has left me baffled, and many in the community are trying to understand why she would position herself in this manner,” said Ali, adding that a “no” vote on the measure would effectively be “limiting Compton’s future.”

A representative of Waters, whose 43rd congressional district includes Compton and a large swath of South Los Angeles, did not respond to a request for comment. Citizens for Waters could not be reached for comment. The veteran congresswoman has long represented South LA, while Compton became part of her district after reapportionment took effect in 2023. The mailer controversy was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The bond measure would generate funds to replace Dominguez High School, the prominent but aging campus whose alumni include rapper Eazy-E, comedian Paul Rodriguez, and many former professional athletes, among them Richard Sherman and Tyson Chandler.

Measure CPT would build on an ongoing overhaul of schools in the district, which has spent tens of millions of dollars to update aging infrastructure, including the construction of two new high school campuses. One of them, Centennial High School, welcomed Dr. Dre and Waters for a groundbreaking ceremony in early May.

The musician, who has mythologized his hometown in songs such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “Compton’s N The House,” donated $10 million to the construction of a new performing arts center at Compton High School. At the gathering at Centennial in May — hip-hop luminary Kendrick Lamar also attended — Dr. Dre joked about having attended the school only “sometimes.”

Now, though, in the wake of the slate mailer, Dr. Dre is urging residents to back the bond. In a statement released on Friday, he said he was “proud to stand with Compton in support of Measure CPT.” Dr. Dre’s comments didn’t mention Waters, but the subtext seemed clear.

“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,” the 61-year-old musician 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 in Compton remain confused over the slate mailer, whose fine print says, “This document was prepared by Citizens for Waters, not an official party organization. Appearance in this mailer does not necessarily imply endorsement of others appearing in this mailer nor does it imply endorsement of, or opposition to, any issues set forth in this mailer.”

Citizens for Waters counts several boldfaced names among its donors, including billionaire Ron Burkle, media mogul Byron Allen and executive Mellody Hobson, according to Federal Election Commission data. The group has raised about $734,000 since January 2025.