Under Governor Newsom’s hastily proposed congressional redistricting proposal, laid out in retaliation against the Texas congressional redistricting plan, Santa Clarita’s congressional representation would be fragmented. Newsom’s vision would carve out a significant portion of Canyon Country, including all residents south of the 14 Freeway, comprising of Sand Canyon and Fair Oaks. Most of Agua Dulce and Acton would be included.  However, Palmdale and Lancaster would remain in the same district as the majority of Santa Clarita.

Ed. Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author or authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KHTS Radio and its staff.

If redistricted, the bulk of the proposed main Santa Clarita district would extend as far south in the San Fernando Valley to Victory Boulevard. Even more questionable is the new district on the east side of the Santa Clarita Valley. It would extend south of Wilshire Boulevard.

According to a recent ABC news article, Newsom’s folly could cost the California taxpayers, $235 million.

Political representation is supposed to represent the best interests of the majority of its constituency. However, some of the decisions made in Washington DC (and in Sacramento) can serve as cross purposes by dividing up a geographic area. Santa Clarita residents have many different challenges facing us than someone who resides in the inner city of Los Angeles.

One major example impacting Santa Clarita in the past was the chloride compliance project mandated by the courts and was being undertaken by the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District with Sacramento ruling on it. At the time, our valley’s State Senator representation was split. Scott Wilk, and previously Sharon Runner represented everything east of the 5 Freeway, while Henry Stern, and previously Tony Strickland’s district covered a major portion of Ventura County while also representing everything west of the 5 Freeway, including Castaic, Westridge and Stevenson Ranch.

Our valley’s split representation became a battle when the avocado ranchers along the 126 freeway in Ventura and the Oxnard strawberry farmers determined the high salt content of the runoff from our processed wastewater that drained into the Santa Clara River contained too much salt, causing a negative impact on their crops. Santa Clarita attempted to mitigate the problem by eliminating salt in all water conditioners and swimming pools. That still wasn’t sufficient for the farming lobby, even though their damage claims were questionable. The debate went on for years. Santa Clarita lost.

The result has cost our residents hundreds of millions of dollars, and a steep increase in our sewage treatment bill that we are still paying on our individual property taxes. Santa Clarita might have lost the battle even with only one representative for our valley, but the point is, our representative who had a clear majority of voters living in Ventura County was not representing the best interest of his voters on the west side of the Santa Clarita valley.

Fast forward to Newsom’s political stunt. Carving out portions of our valley and squeezing them in with residents in the Wilshire district disenfranchises a segment of our population, including this author, and dilutes the strength of our current representation.

Whether Democrat or Republican, our current Congressman, George Whitesides and his predecessor, Mike Garcia had and have our backs when it comes to issues directly impacting Santa Clarita.

Congressman Whitesides (D-Agua Dulce) issued the following statement when we asked him to comment on Newsom’s proposed plan. He didn’t address the splitting up of Santa Clarita’s congressional district.

“It is the honor of my life to represent Santa Clarita in Congress and that’s what I plan to continue to do — lowering costs for our community, bringing home well-paid jobs, focusing on public safety, and supporting local families and businesses.”

Our State Senator Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) was more to the point. “Gov Newsom and his cadre of political insiders are attempting to slice up CD 27 to serve their own agenda, silencing the voices of real communities. Voters deserve representatives who understand their lives, not outsiders handpicked through a rigged process. Californians created a nonpartisan citizens’ commission to stop exactly this kind of backroom power grab. If this redistricting scheme becomes law, it will result in this type of gerrymandering across the state. District lines should serve the people, not protect politicians. I’ll be doing all I can to defeat this dangerous measure.”

Our Assemblywoman, Pilar Schiavo, (D-Chatsworth) responded with the following. She too neglected to address the issue of the proposed new redistricting carving up Santa Clarita.

“President Trump is pushing states like Texas to redraw congressional maps to empower extremist Republicans and stifle opposition on issues directly affecting our community. In response to this power-grab, our legislature is considering taking action that cancels out theirs, while still giving voters the final say, and only if other states actually redraw their lines. This is not about partisanship — it’s about fairness. It’s about making sure Californians aren’t left without a voice if other states choose politics over people. At a time when the Trump Administration has already caused harm to so many – making life less affordable, access to healthcare and education more difficult, and even withholding funds to help Los Angeles recover from the devastating wildfires, we cannot stand by while they attempt to silence us.”

Dividing the Santa Clarita Valley congressional district will have long-term negative consequences. Along with wasting $235 million for Newsom’s redistricting stunt, we will have long-term disenfranchisement.

Imagine a vote on a new transportation tax computed via vehicle mileage, as is currently being floated due to the significant increase in electric vehicles. Would the individual representing Santa Clarita commuters who spend hours daily on freeways have the same motivation as the Wilshire corridor resident who may only have two or three miles to commute to work? Are the challenges of the William S. Hart school district like the issues facing an inner-city school in Los Angeles? Transportation, Education, Housing and many other critical concerns require different solutions in different environments.

Carving up Santa Clarita moves us backwards, instead of keeping us unified in our priorities. It dilutes our political strength. To score political points against President Trump, Governor Newsom has revealed his true motivation. He’s positioning himself for a Presidential run in 2028, grandstanding to receive “clicks” instead of caring for his electorate.

Let’s tell Governor Newsom how we really feel about this redistricting plan. Contact his office about his redistricting plan.

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