Democrats called it a rebuke of President Donald Trump and his policies. Republicans, meanwhile, decried what they consider an unprecedented power grab ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Early returns Tuesday night showed California voters overwhelmingly approving Proposition 50. The Associated Press and other news outlets called the race almost immediately after polls closed at 8 p.m.
Reactions from those who represent Southern California in Congress were almost as swift.
Related: Prop. 50 results: California overwhelmingly approves redistricting plan
Rep. Ken Calvert, who represents a district that largely changes under Proposition 50, decried the measure Tuesday night as “an unprecedented power grab” to “silence those who disagree with” Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Gerrymandering districts because you don’t like the results of an election is politics at its absolute worst,” said Calvert.
Newsom, and other prominent Democrats, championed California’s redistricting effort, touting it as a way to counter similar gerrymandering in Republican-led states.
“Republicans expected Democrats to sit on the sidelines, but in California, we took immediate action — and we won’t be the last state to do so,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino.
“California has done its job, but the work doesn’t end here. We must ensure we win each of these newly drawn seats in 2026,” Aguilar, the House Democratic Caucus chair, continued. “At the same time, other Democratic states need to do their part to fight back against Republican attempts to rig the midterm elections in their favor.”
Take a look at how other lawmakers responded on election night below.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall: “I know how many of my friends and constituents feel about tonight’s election results and the unprecedented purely partisan campaign that pitted neighbor against neighbor and divided the state as never before. It was difficult to watch as Gavin Newsom and Sacramento’s special interests set about shredding the state constitution, disenfranchising millions of Californians solely because of how they vote, and delivering what they know is an undeserved advantage to Democrats.
But here’s something Newsom and his cronies don’t know: It won’t work. The worst gerrymander in history has a fatal flaw. Voters get to pick their representatives. Not the other way around. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to represent the people of California — regardless of their party or where they live.”
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles: “We don’t just have a (blue wave), we have a (blue tsunami). Democrats won by MASSIVE margins in four states: Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California. The American people sent a clear message to Trump and Republicans: WE. WILL. NOT. YIELD.”
Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine: “Tonight, California voters stood up to Donald Trump, rejecting his attempt to steal elections in states like Texas, Florida, and Ohio. Since taking office, Trump has done nothing but break the law and enrich himself, all at the expense of hardworking California families.
“The maps created by Proposition 50 are a direct response to Donald Trump’s unprecedented power grab. Just like his presidency, these maps are not permanent, and I will continue to support our nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission.”