New District Would Have Been a Toss-up

by Brian Leubitz

As I mentioned earlier this week, Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) was mulling retirement. That announcement came today, just hours after the young Mayor of Redlands, Pete Aguilar, announced he was tossing his hat in the ring.

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), dean of California’s GOP congressional delegation and a fixture in Golden State politics since Ronald Reagan’s governorship, on Thursday announced he would  retire when his term expires, further shaking up the state’s Washington representation.

“After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life,” he said in a statement. Lewis becomes the sixth member of the state’s 53-member House delegation who will be retiring or running for another office. (LA Times)

The district has a 4 point Democratic registration advantage, and Latinos make up 35% of the district. But, this is still a swing district if the Republicans can come up with a strong candidate.  Some of the neighboring incumbents, Gary Miller chief among them, have been considering this district as well.  With Lewis out of the picture, there could be a number of possible scenarios arising in the next few days.