'Yes on Prop 50' campaign vastly outspends opponents as Election Day nears

"The serious spending imbalance is one reason why analysts expect Prop. 50 to cruise to victory on Nov. 4. Democrats from Gov. Gavin Newsom to former President Barack Obama and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are imploring voters to sign off on the plan, which would temporarily toss the state's independently-drawn congressional districts. Replacing them would be new maps drawn by Democrats designed to send more members of their party to Congress."

"According to new campaign finance disclosures, the main "Yes on 50" committee hauled in nearly $37 million between Sept. 21 and Oct.19 from throughout the U.S. - more than four times the combined haul of the two central committees on the "No" side. In that period, as the campaigns entered crunch time in the fast-paced election, proponents also spent nearly four times as much to persuade voters."

"The upshot? The national Republican Party, led by Trump, is not tapping its massive cache of election funds to defeat Prop. 50, said Matt Rexroad, a longtime state GOP political strategist who is not involved with the measure. Rexroad said the lopsided funding suggests that the measure will pass. "If it was close, the 'No on 50' side would have more resources," he said. "Because this is really important.""

Democrats backing Proposition 50 have far out-raised and out-spent opponents during the final weeks of the campaign. The main Yes on 50 committee raised nearly $37 million between Sept. 21 and Oct. 19, more than four times the combined haul of the No committees, and proponents spent nearly four times as much on persuasion. A California megadonor with Republican ties spent $30 million to oppose the measure. Proposition 50 would temporarily replace independently-drawn congressional districts with maps drawn by Democrats aimed at increasing Democratic House seats and strengthening 2026 midterm prospects. The national Republican Party is not heavily funding opposition, reinforcing expectations of passage.

Read at The Mercury News