Redistricting in California has guaranteed that no matter whowins the Golden State's 30^th congressional district,credit unions will lose a supporter.

The June 5 primary between rhyming Democratic RepresentativesBrad Sherman and Howard Berman probably won't decide who will be on the Novemberballot, because under California's new “top-two primary” rules, thetwo highest vote-getters will advance to the general election,regardless of party.

In Southern California's San Fernando Valley, a traditionallyDemocratic district, it's likely the two will receive the mostvotes.

Sherman is arguably the stronger credit union supporter. He haslong been a champion of supplemental capital, most recentlyintroducing the Capital Access for Small Businesses and Jobs Act,H.R. 3993, in February.

Sherman has also been supportive of efforts to increase themember business lending cap, signing on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1418, the House version of MBL legislation, and haspledged to help preserve credit unions' tax exempt status.

Berman, who has served in the House for nearly 30 years, hasalso shown moderate credit union support. He is a co-sponsor ofH.R. 1418, and was a co-sponsor of CURIA in 2007. However, he hasnot pledged support for H.R. 3993.

Neither lawmaker is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3461, the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness andReform Act.

Sherman is considered the superior campaigner, but a relativeoutsider in Washington compared to Berman, who is the RankingMember on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It was Berman whoreportedly met President Barack Obama at the Burbank airport inApril and shared a ride to George Clooney's house for a campaignfundraiser.

Washington publication Politico, which recently coveredthe race, compared the two by likening Berman to the Hollywoodestablishment Oscar, while designating Sherman as the People'sChoice Award.

Despite the high-profile connections, pundits note that Shermanhas more support among the bread-and-butter voters in the Valley,and is likely to win the primary. Sherman's campaign released apoll in early April that showed him holding a 52% to 25% lead overBerman. However, Berman may draw more independent and conservativevoters in November.