California voters passed Proposition 50, which will shift the state’s congressional district lines to favor Democrats. It is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to a similar effort in Texas designed to put more Republicans in Congress. The new district lines will override those created by the state’s nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission.
Supporters included Democratic politicians and party organizations and labor unions. Newsom has said that this is a needed step to counter President Trump and to protect Californians. Republicans opposed the measure, arguing that partisan maps would take the state backward.
Overall money
The Times tracked contributions to committees specifically formed to support or oppose the measure. Some other individuals and committees spent money in support or opposition, which The Times included here as “outside spending.”
How money has flowed in over time
Since the proposal was announced in August, donations supporting the measure have poured in.
Biggest supporters
The Times tracked contributions to the main fundraising committee supporting Proposition 50, which was controlled by Newsom. House Majority PAC, which aims to elect Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives, was the top donor with more than $16 million. George Soros’ Fund for Policy Reform was second with $10 million. Labor unions were also major supporters.
The measure received support from several business executive and philanthropist donors, including Michael Moritz, Gwendolyn Sontheim and Reed Hastings.
More than 102,000 donors gave $100 or more. About 14% of the total raised, $16 million, came from small-dollar contributors, or those who gave less than $100.
Separately, Tom Steyer, hedge fund founder and former presidential candidate, spent nearly $14 million on media production and placement in support of Proposition 50.
Biggest opposition
The Times also tracked contributions to two main opposition committees. Most of the money to these groups came from extremely large contributions from a handful of donors.
Charles Munger Jr., son of the former Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman, contributed nearly $36 million to the Hold Politicians Accountable PAC.
More than 300 individuals or organizations gave $100 or more. Small-dollar contributions have made up $13,000 of the total raised.
The Congressional Leadership Fund has given $5 million to the Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab committee.
The California Republican Party has spent at least $11 million in opposition to Proposition 50.
Times staff writer Seema Mehta contributed to this story.