California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a rally in support of a "Yes" vote on Proposition 50, a congressional redistricting measure in the November 4 special election, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on Nov. 1, 2025. REUTERS/David Swanson
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom described described the stakes of the upcoming elections as "all on the line" and flagged the key to challenging President Donald Trump and "ending Trump's presidency as we know it."
Newsom shared a statement early Wednesday, thanking his constituents following a historic turnout that passed Proposition 50 by an overwhelming majority — giving the Golden State the chance to add as many as five additional House seats and push back against Texas Republicans' move to redraw its maps and add five more GOP House seats — a maneuver demanded by Trump.
It was a first step, Newsom said, but the fight's not over. He called out Trump's order to bring "4,000 National Guard troops federalized in the state of California" and marines to Los Angeles, referring to it as a "preview of things to come."
"So today, I am proud. But I am very mindful about the state of things in this country. Donald Trump does not believe in free and fair elections: period, full stop," Newsom said.
"It is not complicated. It is self-evident to anyone paying attention. And it won't stop. This is just a preview of things to come.
My call today is that we all have something to contribute going forward," he added.
He argued it's up to Democrats to keep the momentum going.
"We need Virginia ... we need Maryland ... we need our friends in New York and Illinois and Colorado -- we need to see other states meet this moment head-on as well."
He urged fellow Democrats to meet the moment.
"To recognize what we're up against in 2026," Newsom said. "Because if we do, we will de facto end Donald Trump's presidency as we know it the moment Speaker Jeffries is sworn in as the next Speaker of the House. It is all on the line in 2026."