Republicans target California for upcoming elections

Republicans are looking to make gains in California, a state that has long been dominated by the Democratic Party. After a strong performance in the 2024 elections across the country, they see a chance to challenge traditional Democratic strongholds. California has voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. However, recent polls show Republicans have made progress. In 2024, Donald Trump improved his vote share in nearly every county, and Republicans gained three seats in the state Legislature. Breaking the Democratic supermajority in California is a key goal for the GOP. Currently, Democrats hold 90 of the 120 seats in the state Assembly and Senate, which is about 75 percent. Republicans need to win seven more seats in the Assembly and four in the Senate to change that. The California Republican Party plans to target specific districts, particularly in areas like the Central Valley and Southern California. They aim to promote messages that blame Democrats for rising crime and high living costs. The party also plans to advocate for tougher penalties on certain crimes, where they have found some support among voters. A major focus will be distancing from Trump, who remains unpopular in California. Only one in three Californians approve of his job performance. This includes just 7 percent of Democrats. GOP consultant Mike Madrid warns that linking with Trump could hurt their efforts, especially as economic concerns grow due to rising inflation. Surveys show that many in California expect tough economic times ahead. Only about 27 percent believe the economy will improve in the next year. Despite these challenges, former California Republican Party Chair Jessica Millan Patterson stresses the importance of energizing Trump supporters. Recent polling also shows a decline in confidence in the Democratic Party among voters. Few believe that the party effectively counters the Trump administration. Many describe the Democratic Party in negative terms like "lost" and "ineffective." While Republican registration in California has risen slightly to 25 percent, it still lags behind the 46 percent support for Democrats. Looking ahead, the California GOP remains optimistic. They are gearing up for the next state elections set for November 3, 2026, which could be a crucial moment for the party.