I just registered here to reply to this thread.
I've been involved in CAGOP politics from the sidelines (with candidates and such) for around 15 years. Aside from trends in the voting populace, the party in California has been on a steady decline since 2000 with boneheaded leadership and it has become a carcass for vulture consultants, not to mention the current chair is a never Trumper and of course, the most active CAGOP folks love Trump.
I won't say for whom I blame for most of the CAGOP's decline, but let me just say that I hope and pray Harley Rouda wins again in the 48th CD because I despise his opponent's husband.
John Cox was an awful gubernatorial nominee. He disappeared after winning the primary. At least Kashkari had a principled loss. And Cox managed to still get ~41%.
The real test for 2020 is CA-25 and CA-39. Those fall and the party has no chance of recovery.
As someone who lives in Los Angeles County, if the trends in taxes and homelessness in the area stand, then I could see Republicans like Barger possibly making inroads.
I live in California in Orange County.
Two questions
1.) in your opinion are there any seats they lost in 2018 that the GOP can win back in 2020?
2.) do you think California will ever vote republican in a governor election again anytime in the next few decades? Similar to how blue states like Massachusetts and Maryland have republican governors