DeSaulnier's District Moves Southward, Tentatively

A Contra Costa County state senator is headed to the Tri-Valley.

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier will run in 2012 in a new district under a proposal unveiled today by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The Concord Democrat's current district encompasses almost all of Contra Costa County.

Under the new proposal, DeSaulnier's district would have the western and eastern edges of the county shaved off. In their place would be the communities of Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore. The old district (the 7th) and the new proposal would have DeSaulnier representing Walnut Creek, presuming he is elected to the seat with the new boundaries next year.

The district would retain Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Danville, Clayton, Concord, Lamorinda, Pittsburg, Antioch and Oakley.

"I love my old district, but I've spent a lot of time in the Tri-Valley and look forward to representing them," said DeSaulnier.

Pleasant Hill and Martinez, however, have been moved out of the district. They now sit in a new district that includes Benicia, Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, Napa, Davis and Woodland.

Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder said he was "disappointed and a bit shocked" that the county seat would be carved out of a district representing a major portion of Contra Costa County.

He also noted the city has had a long-standing relationship with DeSaulnier.

"We've built a good relationship with him. We'll now have to build new relationships," Schroder said.

DeSaulnier said he found it odd Martinez and Pleasant Hill were being snatched by another district.

"It's too bad. We have some communities of common interest being split up," he said.

DeSaulnier, who switched from Republican to Democrat about a decade ago, noted there is a 14 percent gap between registered Democrats and registered Republicans in the new district.

DeSaulnier has also served as a Concord city councilman and a Contra Costa County supervisor.

The redistricting commission released its final preliminary maps this morning. They will take public input for two weeks. They are scheduled to officially approve the maps on Aug. 15.

The commission is drawing up new districts for California congressional seats as well as the state Assembly, state Senate and state Board of Equalization.