State Sen Melissa Hurtado (D–Bakersfield) was the lone Democrat to vote against the effort to “Trump-proof California” on Thursday.
Hurtado’s vote in opposition comes after her district wildly swung for President Donald Trump in the November election after supporting President Joe Biden in 2020.
The backstory: California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session of the Legislature after Trump won the election last November.
- Newsom proposed that the state set aside money to take on the Trump administration in court in order to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.
- Top Democrats in the Legislature agreed to a deal with Newsom to move forward with the special session. The deal is split in two parts: $25 million for the state Department of Justice for legal action against the Trump administration and $25 million to defend immigrants against deportation, detention and wage theft.
The big picture: The California Senate voted 27-9 to approve $25 million in funding for legal action against the Trump administration.
- Hurtado joined Republicans in voting against the measure.
- However, Hurtado sided with Democrats on a 28-8 vote to approve the $25 million to defend immigrants.
Zoom in: Hurtado’s decision to not fully side with California Democrats in their war against Trump comes after her district – Senate District 16 – supported Trump by 8.9 points over former Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Senate District 16 supported Biden in 2020 by 8.5 points over Trump.
What she’s saying: “I feel Trump-proofing is a missed opportunity for meaningful change. We should be working with the president…” Hurtado said in a statement. “It is immigrant families who end up paying the price. Let’s work on getting an amnesty deal.”