The path to re-election for Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) is not as assured as it once was, reports the Fresno Bee, based upon an early redistricting map.
Nunes, who has closely aligned himself with former President Donald Trump when he is not engaged in suing Twitter critics, has traditionally had an easy time being re-elected in his rural conservative California district. But with re-districting in the offing, the Bee notes that he will no longer be able to count on a solidly Republican electorate.
Noting the proposed changes are likely subject to additional changes, the Bee reports, "Preliminary visualizations for California's new congressional districts would put Central Valley Reps. Devin Nunes and Josh Harder (D) in tougher elections in 2022 for their seats in the United States House of Representatives, experts say."
Pointing out that California began using an independent commission to oversee redistricting starting back in 2010 to avoid the gerrymandering chaos seen in other states, the report suggests Nunes may not be pleased with what the future holds.
"The district that Nunes, R-Tulare, sits in would stretch northwest and south into the swing district that Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, holds. The proposed district, shaped like a pirate hook, would rub up against Delano in the south and capture Riverdale and more of Fresno in the north," the Bee reports while noting the Cook Political Report prognosticator Dave Wasserman stating the district will change go from one "that voted for former President Donald Trump by five percentage points to President Joe Biden by three."
While Nunes has traditionally won reelection by double-digit margins over his Democratic opponents, in the 2018 midterm without Trump on the ballot he won by a mere six points over Democrat Andrew Janz, and by nine points over Phil Arballo, who has announced his intention to run again in 2022.
The Bee reported that Nunes "...has represented that district since 2013, when redistricting altered it. He held the equivalent seat since 2003."
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