All articles tagged with #california republicans
California's Republican Party is becoming increasingly isolated and weakened, losing influence in Congress and facing significant setbacks after the passage of Proposition 50, compounded by leadership changes and internal struggles within the party.
Texas Democrats have left the state to block GOP-friendly redistricting, prompting retaliation from Texas officials, while California Democrats, led by Governor Newsom, are planning to eliminate several Republican seats in California through a special election, asserting their commitment to defending democracy against what they see as threats from Texas and national Republicans.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a delayed special primary election on March 19 to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with a potential runoff on May 21. The election will run parallel with the race to succeed McCarthy, and Assemblymember Vince Fong is among the Republicans vying for the seat. McCarthy's resignation in December led to a tumultuous tenure and his removal from the top job was seen as a major blow to California Republicans. Fong is currently in a legal battle to keep his spot on the ballot after attempting to run for both the congressional seat and his assembly seat at the same time.
Five California Republicans from swing districts, including Young Kim, David Valadao, Mike Garcia, Michelle Steel, and John Duarte, backed Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House, despite his ties to former President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Democratic strategists warn that this support may not sit well with swing voters in these districts who have rejected Trump. House Republicans have struggled to elect a leader since removing Rep. Kevin McCarthy, leaving the lower chamber in chaos. Polling shows that voters are increasingly disapproving of how congressional Republicans handle their jobs. While some experts believe the California Republicans' chances may depend on their messaging, others see the infighting among House Republicans as a gift to Democrats.
Arnold Schwarzenegger criticized the California Republican Party for not representing the people and not aligning with the majority's desire for a cleaner environment and renewable energy. He emphasized that legislators should work for the betterment of the state as a whole, not just their districts. Despite this criticism, Schwarzenegger still feels there is a place for him in the GOP.
Former President Donald Trump addressed the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim, where he complained about rich people in Beverly Hills, repeated false claims about election fraud, and called for police to shoot people robbing stores. Trump's remarks highlighted his tough-on-crime stance and appealed to the GOP base, but it remains uncertain if this messaging will resonate with a broader set of voters needed to win a general election. Trump also criticized California's Democratic leaders and expressed his intention to win the state in the next general election, despite losing by significant margins in previous elections.
Former President Donald Trump addressed California Republicans at the state GOP's fall convention, where he criticized the state's Democratic leadership and expressed confidence in winning California if not for a "rigged election system." Trump also pledged to crack down on retail thefts by empowering police to shoot perpetrators. California, with its 54 electoral votes, is a reliably Democratic state in general elections but plays a significant role in the Republican primary. The state GOP's delegate plan could favor Trump, allowing him to potentially win all of California's delegates if he receives over 50% of the primary vote. Trump's primary rivals, including Ron DeSantis and Tim Scott, also spoke at the convention.
The California Republican Party is facing a moment of truth as it gathers for its fall convention. Despite a losing streak in statewide races since 2006, the party appears determined to double down on its embrace of former President Donald Trump. Some party members want to shift the party's stances on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage to attract more voters, but others argue that the party's platform should remain unchanged to appeal to its core supporters. The party's focus is on preparing for the primary and maintaining and growing its majority in Congress. However, critics argue that the party is content being a small, regional, marginalized social movement and may struggle to compete statewide due to the state's predominantly Democratic voter base.