In a stunning hidden-camera investigation, O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) has uncovered explosive admissions from a top California Democratic Party official suggesting a potential strategy that, according to the staffer, Governor Gavin Newsom could use with surplus fundraising for Proposition 50 – a controversial ballot measure that passed in Tuesday’s election – to support a possible 2028 Presidential campaign. The potential scheme, detailed by Ross Pike, Regional Director for the California Democratic Party, could violate California Government Code § 89519, which strictly limits how surplus campaign funds can be used. Pike, who oversees Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County for the Democratic party – including four assembly districts across three counties – didn’t hold back during a candid conversation with an OMG undercover journalist. A longtime Democratic operative since age 16, Pike recently served as acting chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party (the state’s second-largest) and holds two elected offices in the county, making him the only Democrat and LGBT person to do so simultaneously in an R+17 district where he won reelection in 2024.
“Newsom is the major funder of Prop 50,” Pike revealed, describing the governor as its “chief salesman.” Pike also outlined a potential way leftover funds from the initiative could be transferred to support Newsom’s rumored 2028 White House run. “He doesn’t have any committees open right now, but that doesn’t mean he can’t open a committee later and transfer the money,” Pike said. When pressed on transferring Prop 50 surplus to a presidential bid, he replied: “Or transfer half, and yeah… It depends on how you do it.”
But as any campaign finance expert will tell you, it doesn’t “depend.” Under California Government Code § 89519, surplus funds from a ballot initiative like Prop 50 can only be donated to charity, returned to contributors, or transferred to a similar committee – not funneled into a completely different elective office like the presidency. If attempted, redirecting these dollars would be a blatant bait-and-switch on donors and voters, potentially amounting to a felony violation. This comes amid swirling speculation about Newsom’s national ambitions. Just last month on CBS Sunday Morning, the governor admitted he’s “open to a presidential run,” telling correspondent Bob Costa he’ll “give serious thought” to a White House bid after 2026 midterms. “I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom said, adding that “fate will determine” his decision. Costa pressed him on his recent campaigning in red states, hinting at a shadow national effort.
On the surface, Prop 50 is pitched as a straightforward measure to “restore balance” in California’s electoral maps. But hidden camera footage reveals Pike describing it’s a calculated power grab. Newsom has been stumping hard for the proposition, as seen in a recent rally clip where he rallies supporters with patriotic fervor. Yet, Pike let slip the initiative market’s true intent: aggressive gerrymandering to “fight fire with fire” against Republican-led states like Texas. “California said, ‘Fine, we’ll redistrict our maps,’” Pike explained, admitting the strategy is to break up conservative strongholds and merge them into larger Democrat-leaning districts, ensuring “Republicans do not hold office ever again” – ideally, though he conceded it might not be fully possible. “So California’s just like fighting fire with fire, you think?” Our OMG journalist asked. “That’s literally what the talking point is,” Pike confirmed. “Yes, we’re very intentionally gerrymandering. We’re asking the voters for permission.”
Pike revealed the framing: “This is a fight back against Trump. Yes on Prop 50.” He even boasted that the measure is about “leveling the playing field” by canceling out Republican tactics elsewhere – all while admitting it’s not playing “games,” just ensuring one-party dominance. This contradicts Newsom’s public spin. In recent campaign trail appearances, the governor has insisted Prop 50 isn’t about redrawing lines to favor Democrats. It’s the same Newsom who once decried political deceit, saying in a past speech: “I hate seeing politicians sit there and lie to you.”
Pike’s revelations paint a picture of a party machine laser-focused on entrenching power, even at the expense of transparency. Beyond the potential fundraising sleight-of-hand, he bragged about using party funds for Spanish-language social media ads targeting undocumented immigrants – teaching them “what to do if ICE knocks on your door” and issuing rapid-response alerts like “There’s an ICE raid at a grocery store right now, stay away.”
“When I was chair, what I did is I took a portion of our budget and I ran social media ads… on what to do if you encounter ICE,” Pike said. These weren’t neutral resources; they were evasion tactics, funded alongside operational expenses and campaigns. “You have to fundraise specifically for that,” he added, underscoring the deliberate allocation of resources to shield non-citizens from federal enforcement. Pike framed it proudly as “rapid response” to protect vulnerable communities – but critics see it as the Democratic Party weaponizing taxpayer-adjacent funds to undermine immigration law.
OMG reached out to Governor Newsom’s office, the California Democratic Party, and Ross Pike for comment on these allegations. Neither Newsom nor Pike has responded. We did connect with Izzy Gardon, Director of Communications for Newsom, but he has not provided a comment at the time of publication. As the 2028 presidential field heats up, OMG is digging deeper into potential shadow campaigns and finance irregularities. With Newsom’s star rising – and his Prop 50 push timed suspiciously close to any announcement – Californians deserve answers: Is this a legitimate ballot fight, or could it become a slush fund for national glory?
