By: Drew Bessinger, Councilmember, City of Clovis
October 15, 2025 — In the ever-shifting landscape of California politics, local voices too often get lost in the shuffle of back-room political maneuvering. This is why I am urging voters to say NO to Proposition 50—a measure that, if passed, would fundamentally undermine fair representation for communities like Clovis and beyond.
Prop 50 divides Clovis into three districts. A large majority of Clovis will no longer be part of the Fresno/Clovis metro area. We are absorbed into a sprawling district, the largest in California, that stretches east to the Nevada border, south to the San Bernardino County line, and north to Alpine County. The end result? A district so vast it covers ten counties. Mountain passes close each winter, making it nearly impossible to traverse for much of the year without a day-long trek through Tehachapi. Proponents claim that Prop 50 is only “temporary,” but it remains in force until 2032. That’s not temporary in my book.
Clovis spent a great deal of time putting together council districts and made sure they met the legal requirements. This map was drawn specifically and deliberately to dilute and disenfranchise the voices of voters—especially those with more conservative leanings—by scattering them across expansive and unmanageable Congressional districts.
Consider the broader political context: California’s Congressional delegation currently holds a 43-9 Democratic majority, while the State Legislature in Sacramento has 90 Democrats to just 30 Republicans. Registered Republicans account for approximately 40% of voters in California but have less than 20% of Congressional seats. In Sacramento, of the 120 State seats, only 30 are Republican. Prop 50 is meant to reduce conservative representation even further, with an unspoken goal of zero. This is a textbook example of the tyranny of the majority.
Furthermore, the logistical challenges imposed by such a district would leave constituents with fewer opportunities to interact with their elected representatives. Town halls, community forums, and direct outreach would be severely limited by distance and accessibility, making it very difficult for citizens and local officials to be heard.
Prop 50 is not only bad public policy; it’s a step backward for democracy in our state. ALL Californians deserve fair and equal treatment in our elections and from our elected representatives. You can’t “Save Democracy” by trampling on it.
On Election Day, stand up for your community. Vote NO on Prop 50.
The author has been an elected Clovis Councilmember since 2017, former Mayor of Clovis, retired Clovis PD Captain, and former Police Chief for 5 Valley cities. Drew is speaking for himself and not on behalf of either the Clovis City Council or the City of Clovis.