California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, celebrated a significant achievement on election night despite not being on the ballot himself.

The measure known as Proposition 50, strongly supported by Newsom, passed with ease. This initiative, dubbed the ‘Election Rigging Response Act,’ could potentially secure an additional five congressional seats for Democrats in California during upcoming midterm elections and in 2028. The proposition’s victory was announced moments after the polls closed.

Newsom introduced Proposition 50 following a move by the Texas GOP to redraw district maps in a way that could favor Republicans in the 2026 House of Representatives elections. His initiative aims to counteract such measures by altering how California’s political boundaries are managed.

Under Proposition 50, the authority to redraw California’s district maps will shift from the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission to the Democrat-controlled state legislature, a change set to last until 2030.

This success not only enhances Newsom’s political standing but also fuels speculation about his potential bid for the presidency in 2028.

And it gives Democrats an additional win after the party saw victories in both Virginia and New Jersey’s governors’ races and New York City voters elect democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani over former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who received a last-minute endorsement from Republican President Donald Trump. 

California voters did not initially embrace Newsom’s plan, as the bipartisan commission was popular, as it prohibits either party from gerrymandering districts.

Redistricting is generally done only once a decade, after a new census is completed, but Republican state legislatures started crafting new maps in Texas and then in North Carolina, Missouri and Ohio. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks Tuesday night after his Proposition 50 easily passed, which will allow the Democrats in the state legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map that will likely give Democrats five more House seats 

Jerry Canaday of Santa Rosa, who has supported numerous liberal causes since the 1960s, encourages passing motorists to vote Yes on Prop 50 in Santa Rosa, California on Monday 

The new districts are expected to help Republicans gain five House seats in Texas, two in Ohio and one in both North Carolina and Missouri. 

Newsom made the case that Democrats needed to fight ‘fire with fire.’  

‘These guys are not screwing around. They’re ruthless. They’re trying to rig the election before one vote is cast,’ Newsom said in a recent CNN interview. ‘What they expected us to do was cast aspersions, maybe write an op-ed, maybe have a candlelight vigil, walk the streets, talk about the way the world should be, maybe try and win the argument, as they’re consolidating power.’ 

Beyond the redistricting push, which was backed by prominent party members including former President Barack Obama and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Newsom has used his social media posts to troll Trump, mimicking his often outlandish vernacular. 

Trump took to Truth Social earlier Tuesday to trash the effort.

‘The Unconstitutional Redistricting Vote in California is a GIANT SCAM in that the entire process, in particular the Voting itself, is RIGGED,’ the president claimed. 

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom secured a victory this election night – and his name wasn’t on the ballot

Election workers check in voters Tuesday in Pasadena, California where Rose Parade floats were being assembled nearby 

‘All “Mail-In” Ballots, where the Republicans in that State are “Shut Out,” is under very serious legal and criminal review. STAY TUNED!’ Trump added. 

Trump has long taken issue with elections in California, floating – without evidence – that millions of illegal immigrants have voted in the state. 

He made those claims after losing the popular vote, though winning the Electoral College and thus the White House, in 2016 when competing against Democratic Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.