Sam Blakeslee
State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, officially announced he will not seek reelection shortly after the California Supreme Court validated redistricting maps slated to give the Democrats an edge. [Tribune]
On Friday, the high court decided that senate maps drawn recently by a 14-member independent commission will be used for this year’s legislative elections, even though a pending referendum challenging the maps is expected to qualify for the ballot.
The ruling greatly increases the Democrats chances of gaining a super majority in the state senate needed for it to pass tax or fee increases. Many opponents and proponents of the maps agree that the new boundaries give the Democrats a good chance of gaining two new seats by unseating Blakeslee and Tony Strickland of Moorpark
Blakeslee has spent the past 15 years in public service with six years in the State Assembly and about two years in the Senate.
All of San Luis Obispo County sets in the 24th District. Under the new boundary lines, the district contains 17 percent more Democrats than Republicans largely because of the addition of a larger portion of liberal Santa Cruz County.
