New redistricting lines have given Democrats an edge in November’s election for the 32nd State Assembly District. Democratic contender Rudy Salas, the first Latino elected to the Bakersfield City Council in its 138 year history, appears to be at an advantage over his Republican opponent, Pedro Rios, in more ways than one.

District 32, which is currently held by Republican Assemblymember Shannon L.Grove, has now been transformed into a strong Democratic district.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission reshaped the district to include the Democratic-leaning neighborhood of Bakersfield, but removed the conservative neighborhoods of Tulare and Fresno.

This is good news for Democrats, who lost two of their formerly safe districts to the Commission’s new maps: Assemblymember Jim Beall’s 24th District and Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani’s  55th District.

In response, Democrats have started aggressive campaigns in District 32, and a handful of other districts where the political climate has also changed.

A change in the district’s political majority, however, isn’t the only advantage Democrats have.

Although Rios, won the three-way primary election in June, he has yet to receive any GOP leadership money. With less than $5,000 cash on hand and more than $35,705.65 in debt, Rios is at a great disadvantage compared to Salas, who has $255,000 cash on hand and almost no debt.

 

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Reach Staff Reporter Angela Blakely here.