As Baca Heads West, Will Lewis Stay East?

The pieces of the California congressional puzzle are finally coming together, and they are beginning to take a rather interesting shape.

Monday afternoon, Congressman Joe Baca (D–Rialto) announced his intention to run for the state's newly created 35th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Chino, unincorporated Bloomington, and portions of Fontana and Rialto.

For Loma Linda, it means an anticipated showdown between Baca and Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) for the 31st District will likely not take place. Instead, Baca will prepare to square off against Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Montclair), who recently announced her intention to run for the 35th district.

Lewis is now left to choose between the 8th and 31st districts. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission carved each one out of his current 41st District.

“It’s a difficult decision because he represents a very significant portion of the 31st congressional district as well as the 8th Congressional District,” said Jim Specht, communications director for Congressman Lewis. “He is trying very carefully to weigh where he can provide representation. Also, obviously, there are political factors to take into account.”

Lewis did not comment Monday on Baca’s decision. And making a decision on a district remains a top priority, Specht said.

Members of Loma Linda’s City Council have said Congressman Lewis' conservative views are closer to their own and want the congressman to continue representing their city.

“He is extremely fond of his constituents in both the 31st congressional district, which obviously includes Loma Linda and Redlands as well as Grand Terrace and a significant part of San Bernardino, but he is also very fond of his constituents who will now be in the 8th Congressional District which, in addition to the desert, includes the mountains and Yucaipa,” Specht said. “It’s not an easy decision to make. But he’s working very hard and weighing all the factors and will do everything he can to make a decision as soon as possible.”