Part 11/17:
In Virginia, history was poised to be made. The gubernatorial race was headed toward potentially electing the state’s first female governor, showcasing a milestone in American political history. Concurrently, the lieutenant governor’s race — which was highly competitive — added another layer of intrigue to statewide politics.
In California, voters faced a unique ballot measure—Prop 50—which aimed to counteract Texas’s redistricting efforts by allowing California to gerrymander its congressional districts to favor Democrats. The campaign saw massive financial backing, with Gov. Gavin Newsom urging supporters to cease donations due to the expected passage of the proposition, which explicitly referenced Texas as a catalyst.