California Farm Town Caught Up in Prop 50 Redistricting | KQED

"Prop 50, which was overwhelmingly approved by California voters last fall, redrew congressional district lines across the state. The move came as Democratic leaders sought to counter political efforts in Texas to redraw congressional maps in favor of Republicans. In California's rural San Joaquin Valley, one of the communities that has landed in a newly configured district is Coalinga."

"This agricultural town of 17,000 in western Fresno County will now be part of Congressional District 18. The district covers a region that stretches over 100 miles northwest to Gilroy, Salinas, and even San Jose. The town, which is tucked in the western hills of the Valley, is surrounded by oil fields and farmland."

"He calls Coalinga, 'a little jewel out here on the west side.' He says Coalinga used to be powered by prisons, a state hospital, and oil fields. Slowly, that's been changing - just as political representation has. Before Prop 50, Coalinga belonged to Congressional District 13 and was represented by Democratic Congressman Adam Gray."

Proposition 50, overwhelmingly approved by California voters, redrew congressional district lines across the state in response to Republican redistricting efforts in Texas. The law significantly impacts rural communities like Coalinga, a 17,000-person agricultural town in western Fresno County surrounded by oil fields and farmland. Previously part of Congressional District 13 under Democratic Congressman Adam Gray, Coalinga now belongs to District 18, which stretches over 100 miles northwest to include Gilroy, Salinas, and San Jose. The town, historically powered by prisons, a state hospital, and oil fields, continues evolving economically and politically. Additionally, former state assemblymember Ian Calderon withdrew from the governor's race to support Democratic Congressmember Eric Swalwell.

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