Walters: Prop. 50 is likely a stepping stone for Newsom's nascent presidential campaign

"I think whoever runs, and this is just my objective belief, subjective, but I hope it's objective for a lot of Americans, it reminds me a little of Isaiah. You need to be a repairer of the breach, spiritually and physically. But it's not just about restoration, the forces of restoration. It's also forces of transformation. And what I mean by that is what are the trend lines that define the future?"

"The odds are astronomically high that California voters will ratify Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom's scheme to grab five more congressional seats for his Democratic Party. However, passage may have little or no impact on next year's congressional elections since it merely offsets the five-seat grab that Texas Republicans enacted earlier at President Donald Trump's behest. What happens vis-à-vis redistricting in other states, particularly those controlled by Republicans, is more likely to determine the 2026 election's parameters."

California voters are highly likely to ratify Proposition 50, transferring five additional congressional seats to Democrats. Passage largely offsets a prior five-seat gain engineered by Texas Republicans, so immediate effects on next year's elections may be limited. Redistricting outcomes in other states, especially those controlled by Republicans, will more decisively shape the 2026 House map and Republican majority prospects. Gov. Gavin Newsom's prominent role in the Prop. 50 campaign elevates his national profile, frames him as opposing Donald Trump, and produces a fundraising list that could support a future presidential effort. Newsom publicly said he has not decided on a presidential run while outlining leadership criteria.

Read at The Mercury News