Republican Political Failures In California

California’s GOP establishment has failed its grassroots conservatives for decades. A Colorado-style political overhaul may be the only way forward.

Arthur Schaper | November 9, 2026

It wasn’t always this way. Democrats controlled the state legislature for decades, but Republicans won statewide. Think of Ronald Reagan, George Deukmejian, Peter Wilson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unfortunately, Republicans haven’t elected anyone statewide since 2006, and they have continued to lose ground, tumbling into superminority status in the state legislature in 2012.

California Democrats win big now by demonizing Trump and tacking him onto every Republican challenger. To ensure the win, they have corrupted the vote with ballot harvesting, automatic voter registration, and illegal aliens registering to vote without anyone being the wiser.

The California Republican Party has contributed greatly to this one-party mess. GOP leaders don’t fight, refuse to show any contrast with the liberal dominance, and they run from Trump if they don’t openly hate him. The down-ballot apparatus is dysfunctional and defeatist, too. Local Republicans who want to make a difference don’t get money, resources, or support.

If you want to change the party, good luck! To become a CAOGP delegate, you have to run for office or get appointed by a candidate or elected official. As a result, the party leaders are not grassroots conservatives. They care about selfies with famous people, going to the exclusive parties and special dinners. California Republican conventions, central committee meetings, and clubs can be summarized in four words: “Meet, Greet, Eat, Retreat.”

The California Republican Party is desperate for money, but that’s harder to come by with fewer Republicans getting elected at the state or federal level. Local Republicans who win nonpartisan races avoid........

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