Republicans in California: Can the GOP Survive?

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Republicans in California are at a crossroads. In a historic midterm election, Republicans lost half of their U.S. House delegation while Democrats cemented their supermajorities in both state legislative chambers and swept statewide offices for the third straight election. With the Golden State seemingly slipping from the GOP, what steps should the party take to regain its foothold and expand its appeal? Is a comeback possible in this new era of hyperpolarization? Three prominent Republicans will offer their take on where the party can go from here. Catharine Baker served as assemblywoman for the East Bay’s 16th District from 2014–2018. As the only elected Republican in statewide office from the Bay Area, Baker had to tow a fine line between her party and her constituents. Kevin Faulconer currently serves as the 36th mayor of San Diego, where he uses his platform to advocate for a moderate California Republican Party that supports action on climate change and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Kristin Olsen is the former minority leader of the California State Assembly, where she spearheaded Republican policies during her term. Matt Shupe is a Bay Area political consultant and chairman of the Contra Costa Republican Party. During the 2018 election, Shupe worked as communications director for John Cox’s gubernatorial campaign. Join us for this important conversation about a changing state and the Republican party’s fight for survival.

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