As Lewis Retires, Focus Turns to Dreier

As Congressman Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, announced his retirement yesterday, eyes focused on Rep. David Dreier, the longtime Congressman and Glendora’s current representative in the 26th district.

An Democratic-leaning district and paltry fundraising have political analysts predicting the 59-year-old Dreier next in a line of House members to forego reelection.

Dreier, Chairman of the House Committee, has 30 years of seniority in Congress, but recent redistricting maps have placed the Republican in a Democrat-leaning 32nd District. Although Dreier’s current district once included all of Glendora, new maps have divided the city. The 32nd district includes 8,000 Glendora voters in the southern portion of the city.

Dreier has remained quiet on his future plans (Dreier could not be reached for comment), only fueling speculation that Dreier’s Congressional career may come to a close.

While Dreier has kept mum on his future intentions, that hasn’t kept Democrats from seizing the opportunity. Democrats are eager to regain the House majority and install San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi as speaker.

Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk, moved to the 32nd District to contend for the Congressional seat in the 32nd district.

“She is committed to connecting to her constituents,” said Napolitano’s representative Chris Bryant. “There will be a challenge of introducing herself to new voters she hasn’t directly represented, but she has a long record of delivering for the region.”

Napolitano’s only challenger at this point is Republican candidate and Glendora resident David Miller, who unsuccessfully ran against Dreier in 2010 as an American Independent.

With a shakeup of political lines on the horizon, Republicans are scrambling to preserve their majority.

With Lewis’ retirement, immediately announced his candidacy for the 31st district.

“…We are losing decades of seniority with these retirements and it will mean California’s congressional delegation has to work that much harder to protect California’s interests,” said Gary Miller.

While Dreier’s stronghold in Congress may be wavering, that hasn’t left retirement as his only option.

According to the , Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, said Dreier has a formidable chance to take on state office against Dianne Feinstein, the 20-year U.S. Senator for California.

Other rumors point to Dreier running for the new District 8 in San Bernardino County.

But with less than six months to go until the June primary, Dreier has made no sign that he intends to file candidacy papers.