After 30 Years Representing O.C. in Congress, Dana Rohrabacher Falls to Democrat Harley Rouda

At left, incumbent GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher speaks to the media after leaving a Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill, June 7, 2018. At right, Democratic congressional candidate Harley Rouda speaks at an election rally in Fullerton on Oct. 4, 2018. (Credit: Alex Wong / Mario Tama / Getty Images)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Nov 11, 2018 / 11:23 AM PST

Updated: Nov 11, 2018 / 11:23 AM PST

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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has lost the congressional seat he held for 30 years in one of the most conservative stretches of Orange County, a stunning defeat for the GOP as other Republicans’ early leads receded in the latest ballot counts, putting the party in fear of losing all six tightly contested House races in California.

The defeat to Democrat real estate entrepreneur Harley Rouda represents a landmark shift away from the GOP for suburban America. No county — no part of a county — has been at the heart of conservatism since the 1960s like the coast between Dana Point and the Los Angeles County line.

This was John Wayne country.

Even now Republicans have a 10-point voter registration advantage in Rohrabacher’s 48th Congressional District — but President Trump and his supporters in Congress do not.

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