SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — Governor of California Gavin Newsom made a stop in San Diego on Friday, speaking at the United Domestic Workers headquarters to rally support for Proposition 50, a statewide ballot measure he says will protect California’s voice in Congress.
“Thank you for all that you have done to get us this close to victory,” Newsom told the crowd.
Prop 50 would allow California to redraw its congressional maps mid-decade, a move Newsom says is needed to counter gerrymandering in other states that could shift political power in Washington.
“This is a trigger in response to what occurred, which is simply not justifiable in Texas,” he said.
At the event, Newsom called on UDW members to turn out and vote “yes” on the measure, saying it’s about defending democracy and protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities.
“This is code red for our democracy. This is not about red versus blue; it’s about red, white and blue. It’s about the fundamental principles of a fair and free election,” Newsom said.
Home care providers like Veronica Salzar, who serves elderly clients through the In-Home Supportive Services program, say the stakes are personal. Salzar told us one of her clients, an 85-year-old woman, could lose the level of care she depends on if funding cuts or policy changes affect federal support programs.
They’re impacted because some of their benefits are going to, they’re going to lose some of their benefits, they’re going to lose the care they normally have that they expect that they deserve.
Governor Newsom emphasized that measures like Prop 50 help ensure California maintains a strong voice in Congress to safeguard programs such as Medi-Cal and IHSS.
“People have had it and they’re fighting back,” said Newsom.
UDW leaders say they are mobilizing thousands of caregivers across the state to support Prop 50 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.
