LONG BEACH - Long Beach Democratic Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal's decision to seek re-election instead of a state Senate seat next year reflects the shifting makeup of new districts and rising Latino clout in Sacramento, political insiders say.
 
It also means diminished chances for Democrats Patrick O'Donnell and Gerrie Schipske, two members of Long Beach City Council who had announced bids for the 70th Assembly District.
 
The change clears Lowenthal as an obstruction for first-term Assemblyman Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, who has been endorsed by the California Latino Legislative Caucus for the Senate's 33rd District.
 
Jeff Adler, a Signal Hill-based campaign consultant, interpreted the moves as "high-level horse trading" as legislators adapt to the borders approved by the independent redistricting commission in August.
 
"I would guess this was a big push by the caucus to ensure that Lara had a clear shot at what they felt was a Hispanic district," said Adler.
 
The newly drawn Long Beach-to-Vernon 33rd Senate District that Lowenthal eyed has a Latino voting-age population of 51 percent.
 
Lowenthal dropped out of the running for the district on Nov. 4, about two weeks after Lara announced his campaign.

On Friday, the assemblywoman said she ultimately decided that it would be better for her to focus on her work as chairwoman of the Assembly's Transportation Committee, taking on issues such as high-speed rail.

"It made a lot more sense for me to finish what I started and run for re-election for a final (third) term in the Assembly," said Lowenthal.
 
O'Donnell couldn't be reached for comment last week.
 
Schipske said she plans to look at the race with her campaign team and make a decision after Thanksgiving on whether she will continue.
 
She said politicians are adapting to constraints of the new borders and the state's new primary system that pits the top-two finishers against each other in November, even if they are members of the same party.
 
"In fairness to her and any other candidate, the situation is rather fluid right now," Schipske said. "It's a new experience for a lot of people."
 
Adler said it would be difficult for O'Donnell and Schipske to run against Lowenthal, the incumbent. Lowenthal also had served on the council with the two challengers and handily won her first two Assembly races.
 
"She's raised the money," said Adler. "She's made the political contacts at the state level to hold on to the seat."
 
Those contacts now potentially include Lara and his caucus, Adler speculated, with Lowenthal's acquiescence to Lara's candidacy coming with help for her Assembly campaign.
 
After Lowenthal dropped out, Lara did throw his backing behind her in a statement.

"Bonnie Lowenthal has been a great friend and a strong advocate for our communities in the California State Assembly, and I support her re-election 100 percent," Lara said.