California's newly approved congressional map is giving Democrats an opportunity to expand their House representation by reshaping several districts that had been reliably Republican.
The New York Times reported that voters approved the redistricting plan through Proposition 50, a measure backed by Democrat leaders that redraws district boundaries ahead of the next election cycle.
The changes significantly affect Northern California, where large rural areas that had been grouped together into a single conservative-leaning district are now split and combined with more Democrat regions.
The current 1st Congressional District stretches from the Oregon border through much of the Sacramento Valley, encompassing farming communities that have long elected Republican representatives.
Under the new map, those voters are divided among multiple districts, including one that now links parts of the Sacramento Valley with Wine Country areas north of San Francisco that lean Democrat.
Political analysts expect the revised district to favor Democrat candidates, increasing the likelihood that the seat will change hands in the next election.
Democrat state leaders have said the redistricting was pursued after Republican-led states moved to redraw their own maps in ways that favored GOP candidates.
Republicans in Northern California say the changes dilute rural representation and will make it harder for farming communities to elect candidates who reflect their priorities.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who has represented the region since 2013, said the redistricting weakens the political voice of rural residents by merging them with distant urban and suburban populations.
Democrat challengers contend the new map reflects California's political makeup and creates more competitive districts.
They argue the changes provide voters more balanced representation and align congressional boundaries with population shifts across the state.
If Democrats succeed in flipping the affected seats, the redistricting could help them offset losses elsewhere and strengthen their position in the House.
The California changes are part of a broader national redistricting battle, as both parties seek advantages through new maps ahead of future elections.
A legal challenge to the California redistricting move is pending in federal court, with no decision rendered as of Friday.
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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