NORTHSTATE, Calif. — California Governor Gavin Newsom drove almost three hours north to the rural, right-leaning region of Redding to deliver a press conference. This follows a very telling 2024 presidential election, which 10 California counties flipped from blue to red. The surprising results signal a new contrast in political standings in what has historically been a deep-blue state.
Gov. Newsom was asked about what he thinks about this political shift, as well as what democrats are doing in 2025 to unite California voters. He answered by emphasizing the importance of fostering unity among Californians regardless of their political differences.
“I don’t want to talk down to people… pass people…. We all want to be protected, connected, and respected. I respect people who supported me and people who don’t,” Newsom said.
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The governor’s remarks were delivered as Republican Assemblymember for District 1 Heather Hadwick stood alongside. Newsom praised the collaboration between himself and right-leaning Northstate leaders who helped developed the bipartisan agenda to create high-paying career pathways with and without four-year degrees.
The shift to the right was particularly evident in counties such as Fresno, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Stanislaus. For the first time since 2004, these regions voted in favor of a Republican presidential nominee, a development GOP leaders say reflects changing political attitudes in traditionally Democratic strongholds.
Jessica Millan Patterson, the chairwoman of the California Republican Party, expressed optimism about the results. “The political needle has clearly moved to the right,” Patterson said.
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Gov. Newsom exemplified his effort to engage with all Californians, referencing his recent visit to Colusa County, where he met with local leaders, including those who supported his recall.
“I was in Colusa County last week with a supervisor who supported my recall,” Newsom noted. “They were talking about our Jobs First program. A Republican who supported my recall.”
Newsom said that he wants to make people feel heard in the new year. “That’s how we start to reconcile our differences—show up and listen,” he said.
The governor also said he is committed to making Northern Californians feel heard.
“I think that’s what it’s about—people feeling heard, people feeling like we have their back, one of the things that I would never do is turn my back on the people of the Northstate because they voted a different way.”
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