The state GOP is in the midst of a multi-cycle identity crisis: grassroots activists have pushed for doubling-down on conservatism while the party establishment has favored broadening its appeal.
For the five most vulnerable California GOP House members, the state convention, which will be held at the Anaheim Marriott hotel, is more fraught than festive. | Damian Dovarganes/AP PhotoLOS ANGELES — The Republican faithful are flocking to Anaheim this weekend to revel in California’s brief turn as the epicenter of the presidential race. But the most important GOP candidates in the state will be far away, wary of their party’s open-arm welcome of former President Donald Trump.
“It becomes a distraction to have national politics insert itself into local politics unbidden,” said Jon Fleischman, a former executive director of the California Republican Party. For those candidates who need to win over swing or even Democratic voters, Trump is politically poisonous. Independent voters in the state back President Joe Biden over Trump by a 30-point margin, according to aDemocrats hope a younger and more diverse turnout in next year’s presidential election will be enough to topple incumbents such as Rep. Mike Garcia. | Francis Chung/POLITICO
Another GOP hopeful in the race for Porter’s seat, businessman Max Ukropina, planned to be onsite and saw no downside in Trump’s appearance. But he also thumbed his nose at the state and county party, which have lined up behind Baugh, the more moderate Republican in the race. With their dwindling relevance in California, the state GOP is in the midst of a multi-cycle identity crisis. Grassroots activists have pushed for doubling-down on conservatism while the party establishment has favored broadening its appeal.and strip out language opposing abortion and same-sex marriage.
Even if the government shutdown or impeachment fades from voters’ memories by election day, frontline GOP incumbents are bound to face more votes that provide fodder for future Democratic attack ads.
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