When it comes to leading the charge, many assert that California stands at the forefront, but not necessarily in a positive way. Under the leadership of Gavin Newsom and a Democrat supermajority, our state consistently finds itself on all the wrong lists. From grappling with an affordability crisis, rampant homelessness, a failing education system, fentanyl epidemic, lack of water storage, brazen crime, and sky-high energy costs, it's clear that the Democrats are failing us.
As Chairwoman of the California Republican Party, I've witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects that one-party rule can have on a once-vibrant state like California. Our state is in a downward spiral, and with Gavin Newsom eyeing a White House run, regardless of what he may say publicly —California Republicans have been steadfast in calling out Newsom and Democrats' failed policies and winning over voters in Democratic strongholds with commonsense solutions that resonate to ensure those same policies don’t spread nationwide.
Last election cycle, the road to securing a House majority ran straight through California, a testament to our determination and strategic approach.
Over the years candidate recruitment has been a key factor in flipping seats from blue to red. Ensuring that our candidates are a direct reflection of the districts they represent.
It all began in the 2020 election cycle with Congressman Mike Garcia's remarkable victory in a special election. During the general election, California outperformed every other state by gaining more House seats and adding Congressional members Michelle Steel, Young Kim, and David Valadao to our state delegation.
In 2022, we defied the political prognosticators who predicted doom for California Republicans. Not only did we retain all our seats, but we added another with Congressman John Duarte in the Central Valley.
These victories didn’t happen overnight, and they definitely didn’t happen alone. The California Republican Party (CAGOP), Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel of the Republican National Committee (RNC), and invaluable support of Speaker Kevin McCarthy have played a pivotal role over the years to secure these wins. We advocated for early voting, championed ballot harvesting, and established RNC Community Centers to connect with diverse communities in previously uncharted territories for Republicans. We laid the groundwork, grinded, and it paid off.
This past September was a defining moment for California Republicans. The RNC hosted its second GOP Presidential Debate at the esteemed Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in my hometown of Simi Valley. It was an event that captured the essence of our political journey.
What followed was the CAGOP Fall 2023 Convention, which featured four presidential candidates all vying for the support of California voters who will be playing a crucial role come Super Tuesday and selecting our Party’s next presidential nominee with 169 delegates up for grabs, the most of any state in the nation.
But that celebration was short-lived in the days that followed, as the nation sat back and watched 8 Republicans band together with 208 Democrats to remove the leader of our Party from the Speaker’s chair, the first time in our country’s history — all due to Speaker McCarthy’s bi-partisan efforts to avoid a government shutdown and make sure members of our country’s military did not go unpaid and California Republicans were back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
It has been no secret that Speaker McCarthy has not only been a mentor to me, but I am proud to call him my friend, and I was saddened to see how the events played out on the House floor in early October.
Without his relentless work ethic to get Republicans elected in California and across the nation, we simply would not have a House majority today.
I am forever grateful to the leadership of Speaker McCarthy, proud of his countless accomplishments, and I know regardless of title, he will never stop fighting on behalf of the American people.
We must move forward as a Party and keep our Commitment to America. California voters entrusted us with a Republican House majority for a resounding purpose—to hold the Biden administration accountable, to rekindle America’s energy independence, to keep our communities safe, to safeguard our children’s future with the best education, and above all, to prove that the American Dream is alive and well.
Without a Speaker McCarthy, many have ruled us out altogether again. But don't be so quick to count us out.
2024 will be no different. There will be no slowing down for the California Republican Party when it comes to doing our part in keeping and growing the House majority. We will hold and grow the House majority because our country cannot afford otherwise.
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