Politics & Government

Redistricting: Bad News for Dreier?

Rep. David Dreier, who represents part of Altadena, could lose his seat in a new predominantly Democratic district.

The 14-member California Redistricting Commission on Friday, and the new boundaries could spell trouble for Rep. David Dreier, R- San Dimas, the longtime Republican congressional representative who represents about 10 percent of Altadenans.

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 Dreier, who has represented the 26th district for 30 years, making it one of the few Republican strongholds in Southern California.

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

Under the new voting district lines, Dreier would be split into two districts--the "San Gabriel Mountain Foothills" district and the East San Gabriel Valley - Covina" district. 

The new "San Gabriel Mountain Foothills" district, which covers many of the towns Dreier represents, also includes democratic Congressman 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. Dreier's hometown of San Dimas is actually in the San Gabriel Valley district, which will also be majority Democrat.

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

That would not preclude Dreier from running in the foothill district, as there is no residency requirement for congressional districts.

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.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge), who currently represents Altadena in the 44th State Assembly district and has , told the Times that he intends on challenging Dreier in the Valley district and feels "totally emboldened" by the new maps, even though his current residence is actually in the foothill 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.


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