Political Lines Shifting in Proposed Districts

The 14-member California Redistricting Commission released draft plans for new congressional and state districts for the entire state on Friday, creating potential major changes in the voting districts of the San Gabriel Valley.

The plans show new boundaries for California's 53 congressional districts, 40 state senate districts and 80 state assembly districts, as well as districts for the state Board of Equalization, which handles taxation issues.

The new districts may be bad news for David Dreier, the current congressional representative of Glendora. Dreier has represented the district for 30 years, making it one of the few Republican strongholds in California. The foothill district, which covers many of the towns he represents, also includes Adam Schiff's home base in Pasadena, Burbank, and Glendale. The numbers are not out yet, but it is likely this will be a Democratic majority district now. His hometown of San Dimas is actually in the San Gabriel Valley district, which will also be majority Democrat.

According to Redistricting Partners, "A San Gabriel Valley foothill district is drawn along the 210 freeway and included Burbank in the San Fernando Valley. A heavily Asian district meanders from the western San Gabriel Valley to the southeastern San Gabriel Valley creates a barbell connecting two distinct Asian populations. A heavily Latino district is located in the central San Gabriel Valley district and it is vacant, an opportunity for a new Latino candidate."

But political analysts say Dreier is not the only congressman whose days may be numbered as a representative.

Some draft district lines includes home bases of two, even three representatives.

"It is pretty gloomy for Republicans," Sacramento-based Republican consultant Dave Gilliard told the Los Angeles Times.  He said the GOP could lose four House seats in California.

In the new Senate District, Glendora's grouping includes Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, Duarte, Monrovia, Bradbury, Sierra Madre, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, San Dimas and Azusa.

According to Redistricting Partners, “A highly competitive district was drawn along the 210 freeway in the San Gabriel Foothill communities with an arm that dips into the city of San Bernardino area.”

The maps released Friday show a single State Senate seat in the "South Los Angeles - Glendale" district would represent the whole city. Currently, Glendora is represented by Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) in the 29th State Senate district.

The boundaries are in the draft state now and there will be a public input process. The final districts will be released in August.