Even before California Governor Gavin Newsom launched his redistricting counterattack in earnest last week, Nancy Pelosi, in a closed-door caucus meeting earlier this summer, urged House Democrats to pony up for a state ballot initiative that she estimated would cost $75 million to $100 million to win, according to a Democratic strategist briefed on her plea—a fair price, she argued, for flipping at least five competitive seats. It’s the same case she’s been making in numerous calls with top donors, according to a person close to Pelosi who was familiar with the conversations—although they don’t need much convincing. “It’s not a matter of if they’ll donate, but how much,” this person said.