California Governor Gavin Newsom may not have appeared on the November 28, 2025, ballot, but his influence was unmistakable as Proposition 50—dubbed the “Election Rigging Response Act”—sailed to victory. According to The Guardian and Politico, this move has not only shifted the political winds in California but has also set the stage for a dramatic reshuffling within the Democratic Party as it looks toward the 2028 presidential race.
Proposition 50, introduced by Newsom, was a direct response to Republican efforts in Texas to redraw district lines for partisan gain in the 2026 midterms. The measure shifts the power to redraw California’s congressional map from the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission to the Democratic-controlled state legislature, a change that will remain in effect until 2030. This strategic maneuver is expected to net Democrats five additional congressional seats in the upcoming midterms and 2028 elections, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, as reported by Politico.
Newsom’s aggressive approach to countering Republican gerrymandering has been lauded by prominent Democrats—including former President Barack Obama and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—who lent their public support to Proposition 50. As The Guardian noted, Newsom’s willingness to take the fight directly to Republicans has helped him emerge as one of the party’s most visible opponents to Donald Trump and his allies. In a recent interview with CNN, Newsom did not mince words: “These guys are not screwing around. They’re ruthless. They’re trying to rig the election before one vote is cast.” He further criticized the notion that Democrats should simply protest or write op-eds, insisting on a more direct and forceful strategy.
The proposition’s passage has been widely interpreted as a major win for Newsom, who is now seen as a front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Politico highlighted how Newsom’s successful championing of Proposition 50 and his high-profile opposition to Trump have made party insiders and pundits reconsider their earlier skepticism about his political heft. Once dismissed as “all hat and no cattle,” Newsom is now being positioned as a truth-telling outsider, a role that has historically propelled figures like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama to the White House.
Yet, Newsom’s record as governor is far from unblemished. As Politico and The San Diego Union-Tribune pointed out, he faces substantial criticism for California’s ongoing challenges with the cost of living, housing affordability, homelessness, and crime. During his nearly seven-year tenure, the Golden State has remained the most impoverished in the nation, with little progress on these core issues. In November 2024, voters in every county approved a crackdown on retail theft—an initiative Newsom opposed—underscoring a disconnect between his policies and public sentiment on crime.
Newsom’s stewardship of state finances has also come under fire. In crafting the 2022-23 budget, he projected a $98 billion surplus, banking on the permanence of a pandemic-fueled Wall Street boom. This proved overly optimistic, as California’s revenue—heavily dependent on capital gains taxes—turned volatile. The result? The state now faces annual “structural deficits” ranging from $18 billion to $35 billion, according to a November 19 Legislative Analyst’s Office report. The prospect of both budget cuts and significant tax hikes looms large, and Newsom’s fiscal management is expected to be a focal point for his critics and for Democrats vying to succeed him as governor in 2026.
The 2026 gubernatorial race is already shaping up to be a referendum on Newsom’s legacy. High-profile Democrats like former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Orange County House member Katie Porter have centered their campaigns on the argument that California has become “too hard and too expensive” for ordinary residents, laying the groundwork for a broader debate about the state’s direction. Pollsters predict that the cost of living and quality of life will be the central issues, and even if candidates avoid naming Newsom directly, their critiques are widely seen as implicit indictments of his leadership.
Meanwhile, Newsom’s national ambitions are no secret. As The Guardian reported, he has reprised his role as the Democratic Party’s most visible Trump foil, engaging in public clashes with the former president over federal authority, tariffs, climate policy, and immigration. Newsom’s satirical social media presence—often targeting Trump—has only amplified his profile. Beyond the digital realm, he has launched a podcast, traveled to early primary states like South Carolina, and unveiled initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for young men, a demographic with which Democrats struggled in 2024. While Newsom acknowledges he’s considering a presidential run, he insists his current focus is on helping Democrats retake the House in 2026.
The field for the 2028 Democratic nomination remains wide open, especially after the party’s defeat by Trump. Other potential contenders include former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has left the door open for a third run; Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary and millennial political star; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the influential congresswoman from New York; and governors like Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, and Arizona’s Ruben Gallego. Each brings a distinct style and base of support, and all are jockeying for position as the party searches for a new standard-bearer. As The Guardian observed, “the race for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination is wide open.”
Within this crowded field, Newsom’s strengths and liabilities are on full display. His boldness in pursuing Proposition 50 and his knack for capturing the spotlight have won him influential allies and reshaped perceptions among party insiders. Yet, the persistent challenges facing California—runaway costs, homelessness, crime, and fiscal instability—remain potent ammunition for rivals both within and outside his party. Even Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, himself dogged by similar issues, may find it difficult to outflank Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, whose constituents recently gave him a far more favorable assessment.
As the dust settles from Proposition 50’s passage, the question lingers: Will Newsom’s assertive tactics and national profile be enough to overcome the baggage of his California record? The answer will not just shape his own political fate, but could also redefine the Democratic Party’s path forward in an era of deep polarization and high stakes.
For now, all eyes remain on California—a proving ground for the nation’s next political chapter.
