Is the GOP strategic about top-two lockouts?

[Tekken_Guy]

Is the GOP usually strategic about top-two lockouts? We saw it in CA-31 in 2012, the Washington SOS race in 2016, and Christy Smith’s old house seat. Is the GOP actively trying to make them happen or are they always getting lucky?

[Holmes]

These are two states that are heavily Democratic with large benches. Many Dems usually enter a race and split the vote enough for two of the few Republicans running to make top two.

But it's not strategy. Dems have had many D vs D races in recent years too, both on a local level and statewide.

[Epaminondas]

I'd wager not.

Just strokes of luck in California's poorly planned Top2 system, but it's running out.