Rep. Linda Sánchez announces bid for new 41st Congressional District

DOWNEY — Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Whittier, announced Monday she will be running for reelection for the newly drawn 41st Congressional District - - a move that comes after California voters approved Proposition 50 almost a week ago.

On Monday, the congresswoman shared her official announcement on social media, noting that she'll be running to represent her hometown of Whittier, as well as several other communities she's "long represented."

"After Proposition 50 passed and split my current district, deciding where to run was an emotional, but ultimately, an easy choice -- I chose home," Sánchez said in a statement.

The congresswoman previously represented the 38th Congressional District which includes Whittier, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Montebello, La Habra Heights, Walnut, and Diamond Bar.

Following the passage of Proposition 50, the district split into two -- what remained of her 38th District, and the newly redrawn 41st Congressional District.

Sánchez ultimately decided to run in the race to represent the new 41st, which was redrawn with about 46% registered Democratic voters compared to 26% registered Republican voters and with 26% registered voters as no party preference or other.

The new congressional district contains South Los Angeles County communities of Downey, Whittier and South Whittier, Norwalk, Bell Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs along with La Habra in Orange County..

"Our communities are not defined by lines on a map. They're defined by the people who live, work, and raise their families here. Boundaries may change, but my commitment to fighting for the people I love will never waver," Sánchez said in her statement.

"I'm proud of what we've accomplished together for Southern California, and I'm ready to keep fighting for our communities in Congress when Democrats retake the majority in the next election," her statement continued.

The 56-year-old is a native of Orange County. She previously worked as a labor lawyer. She graduated from UC Berkeley and earned a law degree from UCLA, according to her campaign website.

Sanchez was first elected to Congress in 2003, and sits as a senior member on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which leads efforts on tax, trade, retirement security and healthcare issues.

She received endorsements from House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D- Massachusetts, and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, according to Pasadena Star-News, which first reported Sanchez's reelection bid.