For Republicans in California, 2021 was bit of a heartbreak. But what about 2022?
California's battlefield for the 2022 elections is still taking shape, but with a change in the state’s districts and the gubernatorial election, Republicans could take more power.
However, GOP strategist Rob Stutzman tells "Inside the Issues" host Alex Cohen, “It’s not going to snap back to Republicans anytime soon.”
A big reason for that is the difference in registered Democrats and Republicans.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, about 25% of the state's registered voters are Republican.
Stutzman also served as deputy chief of staff for communications to Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was California’s governor. The registration gap is now triple what it was when Schwarzenegger won the 2003 gubernatorial recall election against Gray Davis.
“It’s hard to imagine a Republican winning statewide,” Stutzman said.
But he also said surprises do happen. Stutzman told Cohen that Republicans can win hearts in California if they steer away from Trump ideologies and philosophies, something that worked against Larry Elder in the most recent recall election.
“They got the same old ‘Fox News’ versus ‘MSNBC’ type of frame and turns out that’s a two-to-one race in California every time,” Stutzman said.
He says candidates and incumbents on the ballot need to “broaden beyond their base” to appeal to California voters.
“There’s no question that it’s a blue state, but it’s not as progressive as the legislature is. The voters showed that at the ballot, the way they voted on propositions,” Stutzman said.
But next year could show more promise for Republicans in the state legislature.
“I’m encouraged by the Republicans we have right now in Sacramento,” Stutzman told Cohen. “The California Republican party is adapting to eventually what it needs to make a comeback in this state."
When it comes to issues, there are three topics on voters’ minds — crime being the first one.
“There’s a sense that those in control are losing a sense of public safety and keeping order on these streets,” Stutzman said.
He says other two important issues for voters in 2022 are homelessness and the economy.
“There’s going to be some dynamic, some breaking point on how this is going to shake out, but I don’t think we continue on this path of progressive overreach,” Stutzman said.
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