California's New Map Shoves Rural Ranchers Into Bay Area District

Voters in Modoc County, California, will soon share a congressional district with residents of the San Francisco Bay Area following the passage of Proposition 50. The new map combines sparsely populated rural communities in the state's far northeast corner with urban centers along the coast.

The district stretches from the Oregon border down the California coast to the Bay. Traveling the full length of this new district requires approximately 12 hours of nonstop driving. Marin County, located in the Bay Area, accounts for 30% of the district's voting population. Modoc County contributes only 1% of the vote.

Ned Coe has been a rancher in Modoc County for decades. He and his wife, Valerie, previously represented by a Republican farmer for 13 years, will likely be represented by Democrat Jared Huffman. Huffman is based in Marin County.

Valerie Coe argues that an urban representative will prioritize coastal voters over rural concerns. She stated that politicians with a city base do not identify with rural lifestyles and make decisions that benefit their urban voters. She cited gray wolf protection laws as a specific example of a policy that harms local ranching operations without providing adequate safeguards for livestock.

Tristan Allen, a logger in Siskiyou County, also falls within the new district. His logging business burns roughly 4,000 gallons of diesel per day. Rising diesel prices from the war in Iran have pushed his operation into the red this year. Allen described his county as a place that neither Oregon nor California fully claims, leading to a feeling of being forgotten by state leadership.

Ryan Walker has been ranching near Bogus Creek for 50 years. He is a registered independent and criticized the shape of the new district. Walker compared a resident of Cedarville to a houseboat owner in Sausalito, noting the stark difference in their political thought processes. He stated that the district was drawn to make his voice less powerful.

Ned Coe now plans to bypass his own congressional representative to work with members from other districts. He believes this approach is necessary to carry local issues forward. Walker acknowledged a potential benefit to the redistricting: the entire California portion of the Klamath River is now in one district. This consolidation may force a compromise between coastal and upland communities regarding water rights.

Walker said he will still vote in November but views the outcome for the congressional race as a foregone conclusion. He noted that the primary goal of Proposition 50 was to reduce the weight of rural votes. He struggled to recall the last name of the Republican candidate in the race, who is currently trailing the Democratic incumbent.