This is Bear Territory

From New Jersey to New York to Virginia, there were a lot of big winners last night. I wonder if, a few years from now, we’ll look back and realize that Gavin Newsom was the biggest winner of all. He took a major risk putting Prop 50 on the ballot and was able to draw a massive turnout to drive the redistricting proposal to a landslide victory. “At a time when Democrats have been searching for a win against President Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California gave them one. California voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly supported Proposition 50, Mr. Newsom’s measure to create more Democratic congressional seats, countering a similar redistricting effort pushed by Mr. Trump in other states to protect Republican control of the House next year. The result has sharply lifted Mr. Newsom’s political profile at a moment when he is considering running for president. And it has provided what many Democrats praised as a road map on how to fight for a party that remains adrift one year after Mr. Trump captured the White House.” NYT (Gift Article): A Big Win in California Propels Newsom.

+ Newsom’s victory tone was particularly sober. “And tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result. None of us, however, are naive. This is a pattern. This is a practice. Donald Trump’s efforts to rig the midterm election continue to this day.” Gavin Newsom addresses Prop 50 victory. (It’s a safe bet that after these election results, the Trump effort to uneven the playing field will accelerate.)

+ Meanwhile, Republicans file lawsuit challenging California’s redistricting measure.