California Congressional Redistricting: Newsom’s Plans and Political Maneuvering

As Governor Gavin Newsom pushes forward with plans to redraw California’s congressional map, there’s a less visible yet intense struggle taking place within the Capitol and across the nation.

Newsom’s initiative, aimed at countering President Trump’s attempts to gain more Republican seats, needs the approval of the state legislature before being put to voters in November.

Meanwhile, in the background, candidates, consultants, and lawmakers are scrambling to position themselves for newly competitive or significantly altered districts that could change the political landscape in California.

Political analysts noted that a new capital district in Southeast Los Angeles County could emerge, reflecting the latest map released last week. Fresh opportunities in traditionally Democratic safe zones can be rare, especially in regions filled with career-minded politicians.

Interestingly, the race seems to have already started taking shape, despite it being unofficially underway.

LA County Superintendent Hilda Solis has yet to announce her candidacy publicly but is expected to run for the newly drawn District 38, marking a significant moment in California’s political scene. Candidates seem to be moving away from traditional approaches typically taken by seasoned politicians.

At 67, Solis has been a dominant figure in Southeast LA County politics, having served in the Legislature and as one of the five influential county supervisors.

Her intention to secure the new seat and her history in avoiding competition are widely acknowledged. Many political insiders, who requested anonymity to discuss these matters candidly, indicated that Solis has been vocal about her plans even before the map was finalized.

A striking revelation came when one California lawmaker mentioned Solis referred to the district as “my seat” while seeking support.

There’s a palpable tension among some who feel Solis’s pending run and established connections hinder opportunities for fresher faces in the political sphere. A Democratic consultant in Southern California remarked, “It seems like Hilda Solis has already sewn up that seat, and the excitement over it dwindled fast.”

Some political consultants confirmed their clients have pledged support for Solis, with one union leader stating, “Unless Cesar Chavez himself shows up, Hilda Solis will have our backing.”

Solis was re-elected in 2022 to her third and final term as a powerful County Supervisor, representing areas from Downtown Los Angeles to Pomona. She’s known for her work on environmental and immigration issues, even paving the way as the first Latina in the state Senate.

Returning to Congress would be significant for Solis; she served in the House from 2000 until stepping down to become Secretary of Labor under Obama in 2009.

Under the proposed map, the changes could let Democrats fortify their representation, gaining ground on the five seats currently held by Republicans. This would involve notable adjustments to several districts and potentially create additional districts in LA County.

The expansive current District 38 would be split into two neighboring districts in Southeast LA County, with representation expected from Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier).

While it remains unclear how the new Districts 38 and 41 will look, discussions suggest Sánchez may eye a run in District 41.

In the final reshaping phase when California lost a congressional seat due to population decline, the previous Southeast LA seats were held by Lucille Roybal-Allard, who was the first Mexican-American woman to enter Congress.

The new proposals show some overlap with her former districts according to census data from 2010.

Political data expert Paul Mitchell, who works with Newsom, mentioned, “LA will gain another congressional member, most likely elected by the Latino community.”

In detail, Solis’s proposed District 38 would expand east and wrap around parts of Orange County, incorporating cities like Bell and Pico Rivera.

District 41, expected to be pursued by Sánchez for re-election, would cover areas including La Habra, Downey, Whittier, and Lakewood. The current District 41, represented by a Republican, resides in Riverside County.

Initially, there were speculations about ambitious politicians like the Rubios, siblings formerly in the state legislature, expressing interest in District 38. Yet, Susan Rubio has since opted out following her unsatisfactory primary bid last year, while Blanca Rubio confirmed her focus on a different council district.

Even though Solis holds a prominent position and a recognizable name, signaling her advantage in acquiring support, there are murmurs of others desiring generational change.

Former Congress member Wendy Carrillo raised notable Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples of fresh leadership. She emphasized the potential in Southeast LA’s small cities to elect a vibrant new class of leaders who could energize the community and shape the Democratic future.