Steve Hilton Files Injunction Against California's Prop 50, Alleging Newsom's Presidential Campaign Funding

FRESNO, FRESNO COUNTY – Political commentator Steve Hilton has announced the filing of an injunction and a lawsuit to halt California's Proposition 50, alleging the ballot measure is a mechanism for Governor Gavin Newsom to fund a presidential campaign with $250 million in taxpayer money. Hilton, a vocal critic of the proposition, urged the public to oppose it, stating, "Gavin Newsom wants to spend $250 Million of YOUR money to fund his presidential campaign through Prop 50. That’s why I’m filing an injunction on top of my lawsuit to stop this."

Proposition 50, officially known as the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment, is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment slated for the November 4, 2025, special election ballot. The measure proposes to temporarily replace the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission with a legislature-drawn congressional district map for the 2026 to 2030 elections. Governor Newsom has championed the proposition, framing it as a necessary response to alleged gerrymandering efforts by Republican lawmakers in Texas.

The proposition's fiscal analysis indicates one-time costs to counties of up to a few million dollars statewide and approximately $200,000 to the state for updating election materials. These figures contrast sharply with Hilton's claim of $250 million earmarked for a presidential campaign. While Newsom has been a prominent figure in national Democratic politics and is considered a potential future presidential candidate, public records and official analyses of Prop 50 do not detail a $250 million allocation for such purposes.

Hilton's legal challenge adds to existing opposition against Prop 50. The California Republican Party and groups like "Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab" and "Protect Voters First" have voiced strong objections, arguing that the measure undermines independent redistricting and represents a power grab by politicians. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is also actively campaigning against the proposition.

Governor Newsom has actively campaigned for Prop 50, securing endorsements from prominent Democrats including former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris. Supporters argue that the measure is crucial to "level the playing field" against Republican redistricting efforts in other states, aiming to secure five additional Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California. The legal battle initiated by Steve Hilton seeks to prevent the implementation of the measure, intensifying the political and legal discourse surrounding the contentious proposition.