Candidates scramble, one quits, after redistricting shakes up California's congressional races

"I say that every time a district crosses the L.A.-Orange County border, a Democrat gets its wings. Drawing the Long Beach district to go down to Huntington Beach meant that you're giving Robert Garcia a community that, in its elected City Council, has been real anathema to who he is as a person, being an out gay member of Congress."

"Two years after Huntington Beach residents voted to effectively ban Pride flags from being displayed on city property, the conservative coastal city could be represented by a gay member of Congress and outspoken critic of President Trump - Rep. Robert Garcia. That twist of fate came after last year's unprecedented mid-decade rejiggering of California's congressional districts."

California's Proposition 50 triggered unprecedented mid-decade redistricting to counteract Republican gerrymandering, significantly reshaping the state's political landscape. The new 42nd Congressional District, anchored in Long Beach but now including conservative Orange County cities like Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, could elect Rep. Robert Garcia, an openly gay Democrat and Trump critic. This represents a notable shift for Huntington Beach, which voted two years prior to effectively ban Pride flags from city property. The redistricting has caused major political upheaval statewide, prompting veteran Republican Darrell Issa to retire, Kevin Kiley to run as an independent, and forcing two Republican incumbents into direct competition in a newly drawn district.

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