Several Fresno and Clovis Republicans urged voters to reject Democrats’ attempt to gerrymander California congressional districts in a Nov. 4 special election.

The leaders cited the costs — an estimated $200 million to conduct the election — and a naked power grab, and their belief that splitting Fresno County into six districts is a bad thing.

Voters will head to the polls to decide Proposition 50, whether to amend congressional districts in mid-cycle. Lines are normally redrawn after the census every 10 years.

When Texas was pushing through its redistricting to give the state more GOP-friendly seats, Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed the California Legislature to do the same, redrawing more Democrat-friendly seats.

Because California voters previously approved an independent commission to redraw the lines, voters will be asked to alter the state constitution to allow this change.

Making the Argument Against

“Dividing Clovis between three districts significantly weakens our ability to advocate for critical needs like infrastructure, public safety, and economic development,” Clovis Councilmember Diane Pearce said.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said he would now have less personal contact with congressmembers. The western part of the county, including Coalinga, would be drawn into Congressional District 18, currently represented by Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose.

Farmer William Bourdeau questioned whether Bay Area congressmembers will understand water issues.

“If our elected officials don’t understand that and don’t appreciate it, we become vulnerable,” Bourdeau said.

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig also argued that some districts span up to five media markets, making running only accessible to the most well-funded candidates.

“The Democrats know this. The governor knows this. He’s using this to his advantage. And again, I’m disgusted by it,” Magsig said.

The group was backed by the No on 50-Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab campaign, led by former state GOP chair Jessica Milan Patterson. A committee associated with former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has raised $5 million.

Magsig said the campaign strategy is to “use all means at our disposal,” including TV, radio, canvassing and billboards.

Trump Not the Problem

Magsig pushed back on the notion that the redistricting was caused by Trump’s efforts in Texas.

“Trump is overused. Trump is the cause of global warming. Trump is cause of someone getting ill. Trump is not the cause of much of anything. At the end of the day, we are here in California and really the Democrat Party needs to let go of Trump,” Magsig said.

Clint Olivier, Clovis Unified school trustee and CEO of BizFed, pointed the finger at Newsom.

“Our governor is on television, screaming and crying and belly-aching about democracy. ‘Oh, I’m saving democracy. We’re fighting for democracy. We’re saving democracy’ when nothing could be further from the truth,” Olivier said.