The Redistricting Battle Arrives in Fresno

In this episode of Fresnolandia, hosts Danielle Bergstrom and Jordan Mattox break down Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 and what it could mean for California’s political future. Guests Blake Zante of the Maddy Institute and Monse Sanchez of Communities for a New California join to discuss how the proposal would reshape congressional districts in the Central Valley, from Adam Gray’s District 13 to David Valadao’s battleground District 22. We explore what these changes mean for rural farm towns, urban communities in Fresno and Stockton, and the balance between agricultural and urban interests. The conversation also looks at how Prop 50 fits into the national tug-of-war over redistricting—especially in light of Texas’ mid-decade mapmaking—and whether California can maintain its reputation for fair elections while engaging in this high-stakes political chess match.