Exclusive: Obama urged Newsom on California's Prop 50 redistricting push

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called former President Barack Obama before launching his Proposition 50 redistricting campaign and received unexpected encouragement to proceed, rather than the cautionary advice he anticipated. Obama told Newsom, "I just want to let you know I like what you're saying and I hope you do this," and later campaigned for the measure, which California voters approved in November with nearly 65% support. The proposition allows state lawmakers to redraw congressional maps and flipped five GOP-held districts into Democratic-leaning territory—a temporary response lasting through the 2030 elections—and signals a Democratic shift toward confrontational tactics in response to what Newsom views as Republican efforts to rig electoral systems. Newsom framed the measure as "fighting fire with fire" against what he says are Trump administration attempts to tilt future elections, acknowledging it undoes voter-approved independent redistricting reforms but arguing election integrity takes precedence. The state's independent redistricting commission will resume mapmaking after the 2030 Census under existing law.