California voters appear likely to approve a new Democratic-friendly map next week, a move that would deliver a major political win for Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) as he mulls a possible White House bid.

Public polling indicates that Proposition 50, which would enact a new set of congressional lines that gives Democrats a handful of pickup opportunities in the House next year, is on track to pass easily next Tuesday.

With both parties expecting the ballot measure to pass, some Democrats argue it solidifies Newsom’s standing in the party as they search for a figure to fill its leadership vacuum ahead of 2028.

“Gavin Newsom being able to legitimately take credit for taking a huge risk here, and stepping up to the Republicans and stepping up to the president on behalf of the party — not on behalf of Gavin Newsom, but on behalf of [the] party in an effort to increase the number of Democrats in the House after 2026 by four or five members — you know, he deserves to get credit for that,” said veteran Democratic strategist Darry Sragow.

Newsom called the special election earlier this year in an effort to counter GOP redistricting efforts, spurred on by President Trump, in states like Texas. In order for California to redraw its map, however, the state had to pass a constitutional amendment allowing the state to bypass its independent redistricting commission, which is in charge of crafting congressional lines.

The measure makes clear that the process is only temporary, and that the redistricting panel would take........

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