SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — There’s a strategy emerging to protect democracy from what some see as an effort to manipulate the upcoming congressional elections — particularly as it relates to California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and his Democratic colleagues.
The battle over Newsom’s initiative to redraw California’s congressional districts is heating up. Voter early voting on Proposition 50 will start in about five weeks, leading up to the midterms in 2026.
Just days into the campaign, both supporters and opponents have already raised over $10 million each, part of a larger pool anticipated to surpass $100 million by November 4. This campaign has attracted notable politicians, including actor and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Recently, Newsom signed a law to call for special elections tied to the newly drawn congressional map on August 21.
Contested Districts
The California polling issue is a response to an unusual districting strategy initiated by Texas Republicans last month, reportedly at Trump’s behest. The intention is to reshape congressional districts favorably for the GOP, hence minimizing Democratic control in the 2026 elections.
Democrats only need to gain three seats to reclaim a majority in the House.
In Texas, Republican lawmakers have approved legislation to make five Democratic-held districts more competitive for the GOP, which has already been endorsed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
In a similar vein, California’s Democratic-controlled legislature has responded by approving a plan that Newsom promptly backed, aiming to stabilize the Democratic majority and endorse the new district boundaries that would potentially allow Republicans to pick up five seats.
Mobilization of Supporters
Newsom, alongside his Democratic allies, has garnered approximately $12 million from around 400,000 contributors, according to a spokesperson. They’ve allied with powerful interest groups and wealthy backers. The California Teachers Association and House Majority PAC have each set aside over $3 million in independent spending to support Democratic candidates.
Newsom has himself donated $2 million from his campaign chairs, while unions like the Service Employees International Union and California Labor Federation have contributed about $1 million each. Notable donors also include tech industry figures like Bill Bloomfield and Paul Graham.
Newsom emphasized this initiative as a necessary counter to Trump’s aggressive policies, expressing concern that Trump may not relinquish the White House after his second term. He linked these redistricting efforts to a broader struggle for the democratic future of the country.
“We’re losing this country in real time,” he stated emphatically. “This isn’t an exaggeration. It’s happening.”
Republican Reaction
On the flipside, various groups are rallying against this initiative, framing it as a power grab by Sacramento led by McCarthy and former GOP chair Jessica Milan Patterson. Patterson claimed that the group believes voters want authority to reside with them, not state politicians.
Another organization, Protect Voters First, is portraying Newsom’s plan as an assault on a voter-approved independent district board. Charles Munger Jr., a significant donor in California, has pledged up to $20 million in support of this committee’s efforts.
Schwarzenegger has been a vocal opponent of gerrymandering, though Republicans haven’t necessarily committed to a formal campaign against the redrawn districts.
Opponents have begun circulating mailers targeting voters, criticizing the mid-cycle redistricting initiative, with support from groups like the Federation of Women Voters.
Both sides are expected to release television and digital ads soon, and efforts to engage undecided voters will also be underway.
If the proposed map is approved, it would invalidate the existing plan created by the Independent Commission and set a course for future elections using the 2030 census data.
Wider Implications
This contest mirrors broader national strategies as both parties assess where they can potentially gain advantages. Republicans are looking at states like Indiana, Missouri, and Florida, while Democrats see opportunities in Maryland, New York, and Illinois.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has called for a special session next week to explore similar reshaping of districts.
Legal challenges are looming over these redistricting moves in both Texas and California. While the California Supreme Court dismissed two lawsuits from Republican lawmakers, opposition to the proposed map is anticipated to continue.
If the new California map goes through, Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, representing a more Democrat-friendly district, hopes that voters will disregard the activities happening outside the state. He has stated, “It’s not logical to react to what other states are doing; we should focus on California’s issues.”
Democrats from Washington are confident they can operate effectively in the newly redrawn California district should it be approved.
The proposed map aims to affect Republican incumbents like Doug Lamalfa and Ken Calvert, potentially shifting their districts away from conservative leanings.
Overall, the reshaped democratic landscape is expected to significantly impact notable Republican figures, including David Valadao and Darrell Issa.
