California Republicans have reassembled much of the coalition that helped bring independent redistricting lines to the state more than a decade ago, now aiming to challenge Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mid-decade redistricting plan. Yet one key change stands out: historically influential good-government groups, including California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, have stepped back from opposing the proposal. Their neutrality has sent ripples through the political and civic landscape, raising questions about the influence of partisanship and internal pressures on watchdog organizations.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Republicans in California challenge Gov. Newsom’s mid-decade redistricting plan.

• Good-government organizations, including California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, have opted for neutrality.

• Common Cause returned $200,000 from Charles Munger Jr., citing misleading mailers.

• The neutrality reduces political pressure on Gov. Newsom and affects broader Democratic redistricting strategies.

• Internal disagreements within Common Cause led to advisory board resignations over minority representation and fairness concerns.

• Observers warn that the shift reflects growing polarization and pressures on historically independent watchdog organizations.

Until recently, California Common Cause was reportedly preparing a campaign to fight the snap gerrymander. Internal records and interviews suggest the group was actively strategizing to counter the redistricting plan and align with supporters of independent district mapping.

However, the national leadership of Common Cause ultimately approved Gov. Newsom’s plan, prompting multiple board members to resign. The move highlights the growing tension between the organization’s long-standing opposition to gerrymandering and its concern for broader democratic stability in a politically polarized era.

In an early August email to Charles Munger Jr., a wealthy philanthropist who has championed governance reforms, California Common Cause Executive Director Darius Kemp wrote:

“I am excited to work with you on this fight,”

and outlined strategies to combat both California’s Democratic-led redistricting and a GOP-led effort in Texas. He also detailed plans for a “full-scale campaign to defeat a gerrymandering ballot initiative.”

Such a campaign would have been consistent with the organization’s history. Common Cause spent years advocating for independent redistricting and had partnered with Munger to pass Proposition 20, a voter-backed initiative establishing independent oversight of district mapping.

Instead, that partnership dissolved. Common Cause returned a $200,000 donation from Munger, accusing his campaign of misleading voters into believing the organization supported his effort against California’s redistricting. A notice on the group’s website reads:

“Common Cause is not for sale.”

Munger expressed disappointment in a statement, noting:

“It is unfortunate both organizations reversed course. I am disappointed that both have (so far) been silenced in this campaign, and hope that in the future each will return to the principles on which they were founded.”

By stepping aside, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters removed a major source of scrutiny for Gov. Newsom. Newsom’s office emphasized that Common Cause dropping opposition signaled that “even watchdogs see the game Trump is playing.”

The neutrality also sparked a broader political ripple. Other Democratic leaders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, began considering similar redistricting strategies. Even former President Barack Obama followed suit, calling Newsom’s plan “a responsible approach” to California redistricting.

Internally, Common Cause faced intense debate. Staff circulated analyses raising concerns that California’s plan could split minority communities, lacked sufficient public input, and did not explicitly prevent future mid-decade redistricting. Yet the national leadership ultimately deemed the plan fair, prompting advisory board resignations.

Meanwhile, the League of Women Voters also faced pressure, including from Newsom’s former chief of staff, Jim DeBoo, who cautioned:

“Your brand is not to be used against your wishes. The greater dangers arise if Trump prevails.”

The League subsequently announced it would take no position, aligning with national and state chapters and warning against strategies that emulate authoritarian tactics.

Observers are watching these developments closely. Former State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, who served on the California Common Cause board, said in an interview:

“Common Cause’s pivot suggests it was co-opted by a political machine. Even groups historically able to withstand partisan pressures are now buckling. If the center cannot hold, there’s little hope to find our way back.”

The controversy underscores the challenges facing good-government organizations in a highly polarized political environment, especially as California redistricting remains a flashpoint in U.S. democracy.

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