Newsom: 'Democratic Party of old' is no more

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a message for voters Sunday: "The Democratic Party of old” is no more.

Reflecting on his party’s wins on Nov. 4 — including the passage of Newsom’s redistricting plan in California — the Democrat told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” that Tuesday’s results prove Democrats are having a comeback.

“You can't unilaterally disarm as other people are not playing by the rules,” Newsom said, referring to Republicans' mid-decade redistricting push. “I think Donald Trump did not expect what Californians did. He thought we would just try to win an argument by writing an op-ed. Maybe express disdain and concern.”

Tapper pointed out that has been the party’s way previously, but Newsom said, “That’s the Democratic Party of old.”

“What happened on Tuesday represents a new moment of clarity, conviction, purpose, energy on our toes, not on our heels, a resurgent Democratic Party,” Newsom added. “That kind of momentum and direction is, I think, really going to enliven people in the next year.”

Despite the victory of Proposition 50 in California, Newsom said the amendment, a response to Texas' mid-decade redistricting, was never on his agenda.

"This was not a fight we chose," Newsom said.

Nevertheless, he added, it was "a fight we felt was important to fight."

The California Democrat, facing speculations about a 2028 White House bid, spent Saturday in deep-red Texas, urging voters to maintain the party’s momentum in order to regain Democratic control through a string of congressional races in 2026. He also had high praise for Democrats in Congress as the government shutdown entered Day 39.

House Minority Leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have “galvanized” people around the nation, Newsom said, adding that leaders have a responsibility “to convene, to bring people together,”

“Donald Trump needs to act like the president, not just be president. He needs to do the job,” Newsom said.