California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s pricey Prop 50 self-importance venture coasted to victory Tuesday, paving the best way for Democrats to flip 5 essential congressional seats within the 2026 midterms.
The Related Press known as the outcomes promptly at 8 p.m. native time, proper when polls closed, with greater than 74% of voters saying sure to the measure, in comparison with 25% who voted in opposition to it.
The partisan measure, spearheaded by Newsom, was launched by the Democratic-led Legislature in direct response to GOP-driven redistricting in Texas that additionally goals at gaining 5 extra congressional seats.
The opportunity of shedding 5 seats can be a significant blow for California Republicans, who at present maintain solely 9 of the state’s 52 congressional seats.
Tuesday’s tit-for-tat particular election has been extremely publicized and criticized for its value, because it’s estimated to value taxpayers over $200 million, at a time when the state is already beneath nice fiscal strain.
Value apart, Newsom nonetheless acquired loads of help for Prop 50 from his well-known Dem pals. Former President Barack Obama and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez each appeared on advert campaigns pushing the initiative to the state’s almost 40 million individuals. Former Vice President Kamala Harris additionally pushed Prop 50.
“Republicans wish to steal sufficient seats in Congress to rig the subsequent election and wield unchecked energy for 2 extra years,” Obama stated in a single advert. “You may cease Republicans of their tracks.”
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger railed in opposition to Prop 50, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper, “Texas began it. They did one thing terribly unsuitable. After which impulsively, California says, ‘Nicely, then we now have to do one thing terribly unsuitable.’ After which now different states are leaping in.”
The previous “Governator” stated Prop 50 would “take the facility away from the individuals.”
The drawing of electoral maps throughout the state is now within the fingers of the California Legislature, suspending an unbiased physique — the California Residents Redistricting Fee (CRC) — till after the 2030 US Census.
The newly proposed traces will edge out conservative-leaning districts within the north and south of the state, and cut up extra cities and counties amongst three or extra districts in distinction to solely two.
Opponents of the redistricting argue equity in the case of illustration in minority communities, however the brand new map gained’t jeopardize minority votes, in accordance with an evaluation by the Public Coverage Institute of California.
The maps might support in flipping Democratic seats within the Home come the 2026 midterms and complicate President Trump’s Republican agenda shifting ahead. Dems want to achieve three seats within the midterms to take management of the Home.
This can be a political win for Newsom, who staunchly backed the proposition as a flex to go toe to toe with Trump amid hypothesis that he’s eyeing a 2028 presidential bid.
