Prospect for gains and losses

The new districts alter the legislative landscape. Draft maps provoked objections that led to modifications.

WINNERS

Democrats: They are now within reach of obtaining a coveted two-thirds majority in the state Senate. They are also poised to pick up a handful seats in Congress.

Latino activists: Latinos will represent a voting majority in 10 more legislative and congressional districts than at present, a development that has already emboldened many Latino candidates to run. Among the new Latino-majority seats is a long-sought congressional district in the San Fernando Valley and another in San Diego.

Congressional Black Caucus: It held onto three Los Angeles County districts where African Americans represent the largest voting bloc despite demographic changes that had threatened at least one of them.

LOSERS

Republicans: Loss of seats could further marginalize the party in the Legislature and cut into national gains in Congress. But it could have been worse. Early versions of the maps had them falling even farther behind.

Coastal California: Los Angeles and San Francisco both lose legislative and congressional seats, while the Inland Empire and Central Valley make gains.

Congressional incumbents: Many find themselves embedded with other incumbents or without a district to run in. That’s setting up a potential partisan showdown between Republican Reps. Ed Royce and Gary G. Miller and a Democratic battle between Reps. Laura Richardson and Janice Hahn. It’s also led other longtime incumbents like Democrats Bob Filner and Lynn Woolsey to resign.

Israel: Two of Congress’ staunchest supporters of Israel, Democratic Reps. Brad Sherman and Howard L. Berman, are drawn into the same district and headed for a potential showdown next year.

Crusaders: Californians are slated to lose either one of the state’s greenest lawmakers or the Legislature’s leading anti-tax, anti-regulation champion. The new maps create a showdown between state Senate Democrat Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills, an iconic environmentalist, and Moorpark RepublicanTony Strickland, a Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. loyalist.

Source: Los Angeles Times staff writer Anthony York