Politics in the San Fernando Valley is a strange beast. People often think of Los Angeles as one giant, monolithic block of blue, but if you actually spend time in the northeast corner of the Valley, you realize it’s way more complicated than that. California's 29th congressional district is essentially the heart and soul of this region. It’s where industrial hubs meet tight-knit residential neighborhoods, and it’s currently a focal point for how the Democratic party is evolving—or struggling—in real-time.
You’ve got places like Van Nuys, Pacoima, Arleta, and Panorama City. These aren't the glitzy, Hollywood-mansion parts of LA. These are the "get-to-work" neighborhoods.
The 29th is a heavy hitter. It's roughly 70% Latino. That’s a massive demographic reality that shapes every single political conversation in the area. When people talk about "the Latino vote," they often act like it's some predictable, easily managed group. It isn't. In the 29th, you see the friction between established immigrant families, younger progressive activists, and small business owners who are frankly fed up with how expensive it’s become to survive in California.
Who Actually Runs the 29th?
Right now, Congressman Tony Cárdenas is the name you hear most. He’s been in the seat since 2013. But here’s the thing: he’s not running for reelection in 2024. This has blown the doors wide open. For over a decade, Cárdenas was the guy. He was a staple of the "Valley Boys," a group of Latino politicians who rose through the ranks together, including names like Alex Padilla (now a U.S. Senator).
Cárdenas announced his retirement, and suddenly, the 29th is the hottest ticket in town.
The frontrunner to succeed him is Luz Rivas, a current State Assemblywoman. She’s got the Cárdenas endorsement. She’s got the establishment backing. But she’s also an MIT-educated engineer who grew up in Pacoima. That matters. In this district, "where you’re from" is the first question anyone asks. If you didn’t go to the local schools or eat at the local panaderias, people are going to be skeptical of your platform.
Politics here is personal. It's about who showed up to the park renovation and who actually understands why the 405 is a nightmare every single morning.
The Economy of the Northeast Valley
Let’s talk money. Or the lack of it.
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California's 29th congressional district is a working-class engine. You have the Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, which is a constant source of controversy. Some see it as a vital economic asset; others see it as a noise-polluting, lead-leaking hazard to the families living right under the flight path. This is the kind of hyper-local issue that defines a congressional race more than national talking points about the debt ceiling or foreign policy.
The district also houses a huge chunk of the Valley’s manufacturing and logistics hubs. If you buy something in LA, there’s a decent chance it sat in a warehouse in the 29th for a bit.
- Van Nuys: It’s the administrative heart.
- Pacoima: One of the oldest neighborhoods in the Valley, with a deep history of mural art and activism.
- North Hollywood (NoHo): The 29th takes a piece of this, bringing in a bit more of the artsy, "up-and-coming" vibe that contrasts with the more industrial zones.
Living here is tough. The median household income isn't keeping pace with the skyrocketing rent in Los Angeles. When you look at the 29th, you’re looking at families that are often multi-generational. It’s common to have grandparents, parents, and kids all under one roof because that’s the only way to afford the mortgage.
The "Invisible" District
For a long time, the San Fernando Valley felt like the stepchild of Los Angeles. All the money went to the Westside or Downtown. The 29th felt invisible.
That changed with the 2020 Census and the subsequent redistricting. California lost a congressional seat for the first time in history, which meant every boundary was poked and prodded. The 29th stayed relatively intact in terms of its core identity, but the pressure increased.
People are watching this seat to see if it moves further left. While Cárdenas was a solid Democrat, he was more of a moderate institutionalist. Younger voters in Sun Valley and Panorama City are leaning more toward the "Bernie Sanders" wing of the party. They want aggressive climate action and total student loan forgiveness. Meanwhile, the older generation—the ones who bought their homes in the 80s—are more focused on crime rates and the homelessness crisis that has hit Van Nuys particularly hard.
Homelessness and the 29th
You can’t talk about this district without talking about the Sepulveda Basin. It’s a massive, beautiful recreation area, but it has also become one of the largest encampments in the city.
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The frustration in the 29th is palpable. Residents feel like they are doing the "heavy lifting" for the rest of LA. They see the tiny home villages and the shelters being built in their backyard while the wealthier parts of the city fight those same projects. Honestly, it’s a sore spot. Whoever wins the seat in 2024 has to address why the 29th feels like a "dumping ground" for the city's problems.
Luz Rivas has leaned into her record in the Assembly, pointing to her work on environmental justice. Her opponent, Angélica Dueñas, is running from the left. Dueñas is a socialist-leaning candidate who has challenged Cárdenas before. She’s the one talking about "Green New Deals" and "Medicare for All" in every speech. It’s a classic battle: the experienced legislator vs. the grassroots insurgent.
Why You Should Care (Even if You Don't Live There)
The 29th is a bellwether.
If a progressive like Dueñas ever managed to flip a seat like this, it would signal a massive shift in how the Democratic Party operates in California. If a moderate like Rivas wins easily, it shows that the establishment still has a firm grip on the Latino working class.
Also, the district is a major transportation hub. Between the Van Nuys Airport and the various Metro rail projects (like the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project), the federal funding that flows through the 29th affects how the entire city of Los Angeles moves. If the representative for the 29th isn't effective at bringing home federal dollars, the "Orange Line" stays crowded and the roads stay crumbled.
The Cultural Fabric
Beyond the politics, the 29th is just... cool.
Go to Pacoima and look at the "Mural Mile." It’s world-class art on the side of city buildings. Go to Van Nuys and eat at some of the best Thai or Mexican spots in the state. This district represents the "real" Los Angeles. It’s not a movie set. It’s not a tourist trap. It’s just people trying to make it in a very expensive state.
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The district faces massive challenges.
- Heat Islands: Because of the lack of green space and the abundance of asphalt, the 29th gets significantly hotter than the coastal parts of LA. We're talking 10 to 15 degrees hotter during a heatwave.
- Education: Schools in the LAUSD North district face huge hurdles with funding and overcrowding.
- Environmental Hazards: Between the I-5, the 405, and the 170 freeways, the air quality here is some of the worst in the country.
What’s Next for the 29th?
The transition from Cárdenas to the next representative is going to be a "vibe shift." Cárdenas was old-school. He was about backroom deals and seniority. The next person is going to have to be way more vocal on social media and much more aggressive in the halls of D.C. to get the Valley the respect it thinks it deserves.
The primary in March 2024 and the general election in November will be the deciding moments. Luz Rivas is the favorite, but in a district this diverse and this frustrated, nothing is a guarantee.
Actionable Insights for Following the 29th:
- Track the Federal Grants: Keep an eye on the U.S. Department of Transportation awards. The 29th is currently lobbying for massive chunks of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the light rail project.
- Watch the Airport Commissions: If you live in the area, the meetings regarding Whiteman Airport and Van Nuys Airport are where the real power struggles happen.
- Engage with Neighborhood Councils: The 29th relies heavily on its neighborhood councils (like the Van Nuys NC or the Pacoima NC). These are the groups that actually influence the Congressperson's local agenda.
- Monitor the Renters' Rights Movement: Since a huge portion of the 29th are renters, watch how the candidates talk about the end of COVID-era eviction protections. This is the "pocketbook" issue that will decide the 2024 turnout.
The 29th isn't just a spot on a map. It’s a test case for whether the American Dream still works in a place where the rent is $2,500 and the sun is 100 degrees. It’s a gritty, beautiful, complicated part of California that finally wants its seat at the table.
Check your voter registration status through the California Secretary of State website and look up the specific boundaries of the 29th on the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder site to see if your neighborhood was shifted in the last map update.