The Latest California Redistricting Draft Removes the UC Irvine Area from the 45th to 49th Coastal District
According to the OC Register the UCI area in the latest redistricting draft has moved into the coastal 49th district. This also includes most of Irvine between the 405 and the 5 Freeways. The Register map calls it the 19th, by accident, I presume. The 45 district, where UCI is currently and covers Irvine, has grown oversized , so two parts are put into neighboring districts. Unfortunately, UCI law professor Katie Porter, who is the Democratic representative of the 45th district, lives near the campus and her home will no longer be in the 45th. However, she can still run for the district. She has won twice, in this previously solid Republican district. But it will be tougher in the future for her to be reelected.
The 49th district, once the solid turf of the not too solid Republican Dana Rohrbacher, was won for one term by Democrat Harley Rouda. But in the last election, Rouda lost out to conservative Republican Michelle Steel, who’s voting record is almost identical to that of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. It was her district which suffered the Huntington Beach oil spill of a few weeks ago. Her Energy and Environment web page still has the absurd statement that our offshore oil is necessary to keep the military running, despite local oil being only 0.3% of US oil usage. Rep. Steel also lost Little Saigon, and also no longer lives in the district. So Harvey Rouda has a good chance to beat her in 2022.
Here is the Current 49th map:
Here is the Draft 49th map:
Personally, even though I live near UCI, I am delighted to be included with the beach scene, since I enjoy walking there and watching the sports. I even used to sail in the bay. I am also very aware of the challenges to keep our shores and sea life healthy and protected.
