Huntington Beach, a conservative California city known for banning the Pride flag and clashing with the state over pandemic restrictions, could soon be represented by a gay Democratic congressman. Robert Garcia, an incumbent two-term Democratic LGBTQ+ congressman and Donald Trump critic, emerged as the leading contender in Tuesday's primary for the redrawn 42nd congressional district.
The shift follows California's Proposition 50, a redistricting initiative approved by voters in November, which redrew voting maps to favor Democrats. The move mirrors a trend spurred by Trump, who urged Texas to adopt Republican-friendly changes, prompting other states to reshape representation.
Huntington Beach, with a population of nearly 200,000, has 56,367 Republican voters versus 41,156 Democrats. Its city council, entirely Republican and self-dubbed the “Maga-nificent Seven,” has grown more conservative since the pandemic, opposing state housing mandates and Covid restrictions. In 2024, voters approved a ban on non-government flags, including the Pride flag, on city property.
Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach and ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, holds positions on immigration and healthcare that conflict with the Maga agenda. He became the first gay immigrant sworn into Congress. Despite the city's conservative leanings, Garcia said, “Huntington Beach may have a conservative city council – but the people I’ve met want good infrastructure, affordable healthcare and taking on corruption.”
Pat Burns, a Huntington Beach city councilman, criticized the redistricting as “California ugly-ass politics,” adding, “They don’t care about the people of California one bit.” Garcia, however, expressed readiness to represent the area, stating, “I’m looking forward to repping HB.”
