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

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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.Voters in November overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50 — Gov.

Gavin Newsom’s plan to neutralize Republican gerrymandering in Texas — to help Democrats win control of the House this November and put a meaningful check on the Trump administration.The political tremors triggered by the ballot measure already have reshaped California’s political landscape.Veteran Republican Rep.

Darrell Issa of northern San Diego County, an incessant thorn in the backside of President Obama, has called it quits.Northern California Rep.

Kevin Kiley has shed his GOP label to run as a political independent.And two Republican congressional incumbents find themselves in a political death match in a newly crafted district straddling Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

California Veteran Republican Rep.Darrell Issa has decided not to run for reelection in his newly configured congressional district in San Diego and Riverside counties.The new 42nd District remains anchored in Garcia’s home base of Long Beach.

But under the new lines, it has swapped out Southeast L.A.communities such as Downey and Bell Gardens for the more MAGA-friendly cities of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.“I say that every time a district crosses the L.A.-Orange County border, a Democrat gets its wings,” said Paul Mitchell, the redistricting expert who drew the new lines for Democrats.

“Drawing the Long Beach district to go down to Huntington Beach meant that you’re giving Robert Garcia a community that, in its elected C...