Politics & Government

Congressional District Could Start Seeing Blue

Wednesday's Supreme Court decision keeps new electoral maps intact, creating new Democratic-leaning districts in once Republican strongholds.

Wednesday’s California Supreme Court rejection of Republican-led challenges to the state’s new electoral maps has reignited talk that Republican strongholds in the San Gabriel Valley will give way to new Democratic majorities.

The scenario couldn’t be more apparent for Congressman David Dreier, R-San Dimas, who is currently serving his 15th consecutive term in the House of Representatives, representing Glendora in the 26th District since 2002.

The approved redistricting maps splits Dreier’s district, which includes Glendora and most of the San Gabriel Valley, into multiple, more Democratic and minority-based districts.

Find out what's happening in Glendorawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Republicans contend that the Senate and congressional maps drawn by the citizen-led redistricting commission did not adhere to Voting Rights Act criteria, nor did the maps keep communities together.

In the congressional maps, – the 27th district north of the 210 freeway and the 32nd to the south.

Find out what's happening in Glendorawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But the Supreme Court decision keeps the new redistricting maps intact for the 2012 elections.

According to analysts, the maps will give Democrats a better chance of reaching the critical two-thirds majority in the Senate. Republicans fear the new majority power will enable Democrats to approve tax increases without Republican support.

Although California won’t see new elected officials under the new maps until 2013, Democratic candidates have wasted no time declaring their candidacy in the new districts.

, announced her candidacy to run in the new 27th district, which includes South Pasadena, San Marino, Rosemead, Arcadia, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Glendora, and parts of Monrovia and Claremont.

Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk, moved to the 32nd congressional district and announced her candidacy in the new district, which includes 8,000 Glendora voters.

“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, 74, has advocated for medicare, social security and education, as well as the creation of new jobs, said Bryant.

Dreier, however, has kept quiet about his future in Congress and his lackluster fundraising has sparked questions of possible retirement.  

Even if Dreier decides to run for reelection in the 27th district, he faces a tough campaign in an overwhelmingly blue district.


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