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What California and the Northeastern states have seen is the Curley Effect. In the early 20th Century, James Michael Curley, a four term mayor of Boston and Democratic political boss, initiated policies designed to drive Yankee Protestants of middle class or better status from that city. By and large, the Yankees were Republicans. By withholding basic city services from the Yankee neighborhoods, he encouraged their migration to the suburbs As a result, Boston became a Democratic stronghold dominated by Irish politicians.

During Curley's reign, Boston lagged behind other American cities in growth and prosperity. He created a welfare state for white Catholics and Jews, with lots of patronage jobs for those with connections.

Substitute whites for Yankees and non-whites for Catholics and you see the basic themes of Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom in California or the Cuomos and Kathy Hochul in New York. Instead of the suburbs, substitute the red states. A Republican voter leaving California for Texas in 2022 is akin to a Republican voter leaving Boston for Newton in 1922.