PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal judges dismissed Republican claims that California’s Proposition 50 gerrymandered map is discriminatory, allowing the state to proceed with redrawn congressional districts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D), and Republican challengers led by State Assemblymember David Tangipa (R).

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📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Wednesday by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after a December hearing.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed.” – Attorney General Rob Bonta.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling could allow Democrats to secure up to five additional seats in the U.S. House, bolstering their efforts in the 2026 midterms.

California Democrats secured a legal victory Wednesday as a panel of federal judges rejected Republican claims that Proposition 50, a measure allowing the state to redraw congressional districts, is discriminatory. The measure, approved by voters last November, is expected to help Democrats gain up to five additional U.S. House seats, potentially aiding their efforts to reclaim Congress in the 2026 midterms.

Governor Gavin Newsom (D), who spearheaded the Prop 50 initiative, celebrated the decision on social media. Newsom’s office posted, “Can’t spell Republican without an L,” on X (formerly Twitter), while Newsom himself posted the phrase “FAFO,” an acronym for “F—k around and find out.”

Republicans argued that the redrawn districts unfairly favor Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups. However, Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) praised the court’s decision, stating, “The decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed.” He added, “I couldn’t be prouder of my team for successfully defending this ballot initiative in court on behalf of Governor Newsom and Secretary of State Weber.”

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling after a three-day hearing in December. California voters had approved the new district map in November, and this decision further solidifies its implementation. State Assemblymember David Tangipa (R), part of the Republican group challenging the measure, previously indicated plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court should the Ninth Circuit rule against the plaintiffs.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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