Written by Nathaniel Mannor
Autumn Burke (D-Marina del Rey) announced her retirement from the California State Assembly on Tuesday. Burke, who represents the 62nd Assembly district, put out a statement saying, “I feel it is of the utmost importance that I have the flexibility and ability to spend more time with my family.” Her initial plan was to retire at the end of her term, but circumstances have changed, citing the pandemic as one factor.
But Burke is not the only legislator calling it quits early. California rid itself of Public Enemy Number 2, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales (D-San Diego), who left to join the California Labor Federation. Others announced their intention to run for Congress, like Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), Chad Mayes (I-Rancho Mirage), Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), and Adam Gray (D-Merced). The rest want to retire from the public sphere. Among them are Connie Leyva and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), and Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo).
27 California legislators (20 Democrats, 6 Republicans, and one Independent) aren’t running for reelection. Since none of these incumbents are termed out of office, why are they all dropping out?
The most significant factor comes from California’s Independent Redistricting Commission’s new district maps that have gerrymandered some incumbents out of politically friendly neighborhoods. For example, Republican Rep. Tom McClintock chose to run in California’s 5th Congressional district because of its solidly conservative environment, leaving the 3rd district for Kevin Kiley to run in. Elsewhere, state legislators are pitted against each other, such as the case of Lorena Gonzalez and Akilah Weber, prompting Gonzalez to seek employment at the California Labor Federation.
Because of the new maps, many politicians don’t want to run against members of their own party and have stepped aside to avoid confronting their friends. Thankfully this is only a problem that we have to deal with every ten years, and by 2024, things will hopefully be back to normal.
