California, typically a deep blue state, has shown signs of shifting towards the right in recent political developments. Despite overwhelmingly voting for Kamala Harris, President-elect Donald Trump is outperforming his 2020 vote share in the state. With 87 percent of the vote tallied, three California counties have shifted toward Trump by at least 7 points. Voters in California passed a referendum to increase criminal sentences, rejected ballot measures banning forced prison labor and expanding rent control, and voted out a progressive prosecutor in Los Angeles County. This shift has led to an “identity crisis” in the state, according to Politico reporter Melanie Mason.
Factors like high inflation and frustration with current policies have fueled this shift towards the right in California. Governor Gavin Newsom, a quintessential progressive Democrat, has faced challenges as his opposition to certain ballot measures has been met with public support. Newsom, who is eyeing larger ambitions, is facing a balancing act between national politics and addressing key issues at home, such as the homelessness crisis and affordability.
Newsom has called for a special legislative session to bolster the state’s policies and protect them against potential threats from the Trump administration. However, the question remains whether the state, which has seen a shift towards Trump, will follow Newsom’s lead in this effort. As California grapples with these political shifts and voter discontent, the future of its politics remains uncertain.
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