Democratic challenger to Dreier ‘totally emboldened’ by new district lines

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A potential Democratic challenger to Rep. David Dreier said he was “totally emboldened” by the new draft congressional maps that carve out some of the conservative strongholds of Dreier’s current seat.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has been raising money for months to challenge Dreier in 2012. He said that under the new preliminary map, Dreier’s seat would be a “more favorable district” for Democrats, and that he planned to formally announce his bid once the maps are finalized in August.

Portantino said he was “totally emboldened by the map and excited by the matchup.”

Dreier, in a statement, signaled that he viewed Friday’s maps as only the beginning of a long district-drafting process.

“Californians deserve the best possible representation in both Sacramento and Washington,” he said. “The many public hearings to be held this summer will give them an opportunity to have their voices heard.”

-- Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento