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More retirements point to new era in California House of Representative races
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Long-serving U.S. Rep. Wally Herger announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in November, the latest sign that a political shake-up is under way in California that will have implications from Washington to Sacramento.A voter-approved independent citizens panel redrew the boundaries of California's legislative and congressional districts ahead of the 2012 elections after decades of gerrymandering by lawmakers preserved districts for incumbents and the parties. Elections in recent years have often been formalities: Only one House incumbent lost in California in the last decade.But the new district lines appear to have played at least some role in concluding the careers of several House members who will not seek reelection, while a long list of open seats has piled up in legislatives races.In nearly every case in the House, "redistricting had more to do with the retirements than the desire to give up the seat," said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, an analysis of legislative and congressional races.The conservative Herger represents the state's 2nd Congressional District in Northern California that includes Redding and Chico. The 66-year-old is serving his 13th term and was facing primary challenges from at least two other Republicans.