California Democrats scored a big win on Proposition 50 in federal court Wednesday after judges rejected Republicans’ argument that the new gerrymandered map is racist.
The controversial measure, which was approved by voters last November, allows California to redraw its congressional lines and could help Democrats add up to five more seats the US House — helping them in their fight to reclaim Congress in the 2026 midterms.
Gov. Gavin Newsom led the Prop 50 effort in a response to President Trump and Republicans in other states attempting to redraw lines. The governor’s office was quick to gloat in a social media post Wednesday.
“Can’t spell Republican without an L,” Newsom’s troll office posted on X.
Newsom himself tweeted out “FAFO,” an acronym for “F–k around and find out,” a phrase is favored by the Trump administration and commonly used as a flex.
Republicans contested the maps drawn by Prop 50, claiming that the new lines would unfairly benefit Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups. Wednesday’s ruling followed a three-day hearing in December in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Attorney General Bonta championed the ruling, saying the “decision upholds the will of the people.”
“It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed,” Bonta said in a statement. “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. We remain confident in the legality of Proposition 50.”
State Asemblymember David Tangipa, who was part of the Republican group that sued the state over Prop. 50, was not immediately available for comment Wednesday as he and staff reviewed the ruling.
Tangipa previously told The Post in an interview that Republicans would challenge the decision all the way to the Supreme Court.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
