California Redistricting Campaign: A Fight for Political Power

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings donated $2 million to support California's effort to redraw its House maps, which are designed to fight back against Texas Republicans' gerrymander and potentially flip around six House seats in the 2026 midterms. Hastings has long backed Democratic causes and is close to Governor Gavin Newsom, who is leading the push for the new maps.

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has donated $2 million to support California's effort to redraw its House maps, which are designed to fight back against Texas Republicans' gerrymander and potentially flip around six House seats in the 2026 midterms. Hastings has long backed Democratic causes and is close to Governor Gavin Newsom, who is leading the push for the new maps [1].

Hastings, who is worth $7.8 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is one of the most prominent names to stand behind Newsom in his controversial plan to redraw congressional maps. Other donors to the California effort include Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham, who gave $500,000, and actor Danny DeVito, who gave $1,000 [1].

California's redistricting push is a response to Texas Republicans' efforts to redraw their congressional maps, which Democrats argue are gerrymandered to favor Republicans. California's ballot initiative, which will be voted on in November, aims to create five new Democratic-leaning districts, potentially flipping around six House seats in the 2026 midterms [1].

While Hastings' donation is significant, Newsom faces challenges in fundraising for the measure. Some past supporters have opted to remain on the sidelines, and he’s facing political pressure from former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has condemned gerrymandering as "evil" [1]. Charles Munger Jr., the son of Warren Buffett's late longtime partner Charlie Munger, is also vowing to fight Newsom’s effort and has donated $10 million in opposition to the ballot proposition [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/netflix-s-reed-hastings-gives-2-million-in-newsom-s-california-map-fight
[2] https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/news/governor-gavin-newsom-uses-meme-coin-to-hit-back-at-donald-trumps-image
[3] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/29/missouri-redistrict-00536850