**Redding Residents Fear Proposition 50 Will Dilute Rural Political Power**
REDDING, Calif. — In a region of Northern California known for farming, ranching, and a rural way of life, residents are concerned that a ballot measure to redraw U.S. House maps will further dilute their already limited political influence in the heavily Democratic state.
If Proposition 50 passes, voters in three northern counties—Shasta, Siskiyou, and Modoc—that have strongly supported President Donald Trump in the last three elections would be combined into a single congressional district alongside some of California’s wealthiest and most liberal coastal communities. Rural voters fear they will be significantly outnumbered, making it unlikely for a Republican candidate to prevail.
“Most of us see it as, you know, just massive gerrymandering, taking what little representation that we had away, and now we’ll have absolutely nothing,” said Patrick Jones, a former Shasta County supervisor, in a recent interview at his family’s gun shop.
**What is Proposition 50?**
Voting on the measure concludes on November 4. Proposition 50 would create partisan U.S. House maps outside of the usual once-a-decade redistricting process handled by an independent commission. The proposal is an effort by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to counter a Trump-backed plan in Texas aimed at gaining five additional Republican seats.
Newsom argues the measure is necessary to defend democracy. However, California Republicans call it a power grab that will disenfranchise voters. Currently, Republicans hold nine of California’s 52 congressional seats.
**Local Opposition Grows**
In Redding, one of the largest cities north of Sacramento, bright yellow signs urging residents to “defend fair elections and rural representation” dot the highways. A local man recently staged a one-person protest in front of City Hall, while over 150 residents gathered at a rally to reject what they see as a Democratic scheme to silence their voices.
Despite this opposition, the challenge is steep in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one. Democrats have returned nearly twice as many ballots, and labor unions alongside other Democratic allies have mobilized hundreds of volunteers to reach voters in solidly blue areas such as Los Angeles.
County Clerk Clint Curtis of Shasta County reported that, two weeks before Election Day, only about 7,000 ballots had been returned, and he expects lower than usual turnout. Meanwhile, TV advertising opposing Proposition 50—a key battleground expenditure—has largely dried up.
Some Redding residents say they have heard little from Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa about plans to fight the measure, although he is scheduled to hold an event in another city within his district.
**Political Landscape Under New Maps**
Under the proposed maps, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Modoc counties—conservative strongholds in rural Northern California—would be grouped with Marin County. Marin is located just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco and is known for its wealth and liberal politics.
LaMalfa’s current district includes agricultural areas growing rice, olives, and other tree nuts, as well as ranching areas in the far north. The district features landmarks such as Lassen National Volcanic Park, historic Shasta Dam, and snow-capped Mount Shasta. Redding’s population is under 100,000, and skepticism toward government and belief in election conspiracies are common. In 2024, 67% of Shasta County voters supported Trump.
By contrast, Marin County voted 80% for Democrat Kamala Harris in the last election, with a median household income exceeding $140,000—roughly double that of Shasta County. The coastal district, reaching north to Oregon, is known for its redwood forests, wine production, and cannabis farms. It is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman.
**LaMalfa’s Response and Support**
LaMalfa, who is also a rice farmer, opposes Proposition 50. He has spent at least $63,000 from his campaign fund on text messages and yard signs to reach voters, in addition to donating $50,000 to the statewide “No on 50” campaign. Brenda Haynes from LaMalfa’s district office said the congressman has participated in local rallies, including waving flags on highway overpasses.
However, some residents say they have not heard much directly from him. Toby Ruiz, a retired state worker, said, “I think he’s done phone calls and stuff, but I haven’t really heard from him.”
Supporters praise LaMalfa for his conservative stances and his push for a critical new water storage project. Bob Braz, a Redding native and bait shop owner, said, “I pretty much love the guy. I stand for almost all the things he’s done.” Others trust LaMalfa because of his farming background, contrasting him with politicians from the Bay Area. Liz Jacobs, who moved to Redding from the Bay Area 20 years ago, remarked, “I don’t know about somebody from the Bay Area with their progressive ideas.”
**Democrats’ Perspective**
Governor Newsom and other Democrats say Proposition 50 is a necessary response to counteract Trump’s agenda and Republican efforts to gain more seats elsewhere. Even with the possibility of Democrats winning five more seats in California, maintaining House control remains uncertain as Republicans in states like Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana, along with Texas, are also redrawing maps to their advantage. Virginia lawmakers recently resumed sessions to work on maps favoring Democrats.
All such efforts are expected to encounter legal challenges. Newsom said in a recent virtual campaign event, “This is not the fight we want to fight. This was not our battle. This is in reaction to something unprecedented that happened.”
**Rural Residents Feel Silenced**
Many voters in Redding perceive the measure as yet another way for their voices to be silenced. They say they have long felt neglected by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in Sacramento, which they blame for raising living costs and undermining local control.
For example, after Shasta County voted to eliminate vote-counting machines in 2023, lawmakers banned hand-counting of ballots in most cases—a move that some locals view as limiting election transparency.
There is also concern national Republicans will not invest heavily to defend these rural seats if Proposition 50 passes. Patrick Jones noted, “You would have to spend a huge amount of money to reach your base, and they’re just simply not going to want to waste that amount of money because it would be better spent throughout the country elsewhere.”
**Voter Division and Hopes for Change**
Not all voters oppose change. Warren Swanson, a Redding resident of over 40 years, calls LaMalfa “Do Nothing Doug.” His wife, Tara Swanson, supports Proposition 50 partly because it aims to return map-drawing power to the independent commission after the 2030 Census.
“Do two wrongs make a right? It’s a tough one for those of us who think along those lines,” Tara Swanson said.
In Siskiyou County’s town of Mt. Shasta, some liberal voters are hoping to unseat LaMalfa due to his vote for Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, which includes changes to healthcare and food assistance programs. Colleen Shelly, a Mt. Shasta resident who works with the state food assistance program, said that the new bill could mean mothers, families, and older adults might go hungry.
Despite the challenges ahead for Republicans in California, Walter Stephen Rubke, a 38-year-old who recently moved to Redding, remains optimistic. He said many young people are supporting conservatives and expects ongoing resistance from GOP voters even if Proposition 50 passes.
“I see a hard path ahead,” Rubke said. “But I feel confident. I feel hopeful.”
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*Voting on Proposition 50 concludes November 4. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the measure and participate in the election.*
https://abc7news.com/post/prop-50-california-gop-stronghold-voters-are-not-happy-newsoms-plan-help-democrats/18097628/
