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

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he called former President Barack Obama before launching Proposition 50, expecting caution but instead received Obama's encouragement to proceed with the aggressive redistricting push. Obama later campaigned for the measure, which California voters approved in November with nearly 65% support and gave lawmakers authority to redraw maps, flipping five GOP-held districts into Democratic-leaning territory. Newsom framed the move as breaking from traditional Democratic restraint—a "fight fire with fire" response to what he views as Republican efforts to rig the electoral system, particularly Texas Republicans' congressional map redraw. The measure will apply only to the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, after which California's independent redistricting commission will redraw maps as scheduled following the 2030 Census. The exchange reflects a broader Democratic shift toward more confrontational tactics in response to what Newsom characterized as President Trump and his allies' efforts to tilt future elections.