Point well taken.
However the statement was: "He received praise when he challenged the status quo of political districting."
That was not a reference to the proposition that eventually emerged (Prop 77) which was convoluted and wobbly but still received broad support from conservatives.
The propositions that the Austrian originally promulgated were fairly conservative but alas, all contained legally challangeable language or could be construed as "third rail" and all were abandoned. The Austrian was left to cherry pick, as best he could, legislation authored by the Wilson gang (Prop 74, 75, 76 and 77). None were of the quality of his originals and all contained the obligatory special interest clauses of their authors; lenders, big business, and anti taxers. The same group that financed his recall campaign and the special election.
For the most part, conservatives supported Prop 74, 75 and 77 but none were enthusiastic. Prop 76 was roundly criticized by both the right and the left, as a collection of special interest protections that benefited the authors instead of the electorate.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")