A recent straw poll shows Californians are sharply divided over Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed mid-decade redistricting plan, with a slight majority opposing his gerrymandering efforts. This proposal, which mirrors Texas’ controversial actions, could have major political consequences for the state and for Newsom’s political ambitions.
Key Facts:
- 47% of respondents, mostly aligned with the Democratic Party, support redrawing California’s district maps in line with Texas’ gerrymandering.
- 17% of left-leaning respondents oppose Newsom’s plan, advocating for no mid-decade gerrymandering.
- 11% of conservatives argue the plan would further disenfranchise Republicans, reducing GOP representation to 7% in the state.
- 6% of conservatives wish to see Newsom push the vote forward, seeing it as a display of his “power-hungry” politics.
- 19% of voters completely oppose gerrymandering in any form, showing discontent with Newsom’s approach.
The Rest of The Story:
Despite Newsom’s confidence that his proposal will be approved in a special election this November, the straw poll results indicate significant opposition.
A majority of Californians, including a third of Democrats, do not want to engage in gerrymandering, fearing it will fracture the political landscape even further.
This comes on the heels of a nationwide debate over redistricting, with Republicans in states like Texas gaining ground.
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, political commentator Steve Hilton, and Congressman Kevin Kiley have voiced their opposition, with Kiley introducing legislation to block mid-decade redistricting.
This division within the state, along with the potential impact of national redistricting shifts, could significantly undermine Newsom’s proposal.
🚨 Gavin Newsom admits it: his illegal redistricting scheme is designed to "end the Trump presidency."
But his outrageous power grab violates the Equal Protection clause, guaranteeing every vote has equal weight.
I will file lawsuits in state and federal court to STOP NEWSOM: pic.twitter.com/KJqTkpZwgp
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 5, 2025
Commentary:
Governor Gavin Newsom seems to have forgotten that his job as California’s governor is to serve the people of the state, not stage a political spectacle aimed at promoting his future presidential ambitions.
The redistricting debate, branded by critics as “Newsomandering,” isn’t about fair representation or the needs of California voters.
It’s about Newsom’s desperate attempt to manipulate the system for personal gain, all while ignoring the pressing issues facing the state.
Californians are tired of paying the price for policies that make the state unaffordable—high gas prices, skyrocketing housing costs, and taxes that drive businesses and wealthy residents out of the state.
People are concerned about the real problems: families displaced by wildfires, the growing homeless crisis, and the inability to rebuild their homes because of bureaucratic delays and excessive regulations.
While Newsom plays political games with redistricting, voters are asking when he will address the state’s deteriorating infrastructure, housing shortages, and the ever-increasing tax burden.
The gerrymandering issue should be secondary to addressing these problems, but Newsom seems more interested in fighting political battles rather than doing his job.
The public’s discontent is evident in the straw poll results.
It’s clear that many voters, including Democrats, are not interested in Newsom turning California into another battleground for partisan politics.
Newsom’s focus should be on fixing the state’s problems, not on manipulating district maps to suit his future ambitions.
Californians deserve a governor who puts their needs first, rather than one who is too consumed with playing national politics for his personal gain.
In the coming months, Newsom will likely have to confront this backlash.
His plans for redistricting could be one of the final chapters in his governorship, and if he continues to ignore the will of the people, it could mark the beginning of his downfall in California politics.
The Bottom Line:
Newsom’s gerrymandering proposal faces growing opposition from both Democrats and conservatives in California.
Despite his ambitions to gain national attention, the governor seems out of touch with the pressing issues that matter to Californians.
His political games could end up costing him more than just support for redistricting; they could cost him the confidence of voters as he nears the end of his term.
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