In the course of the 2024 elections, Democrats misplaced not solely the presidential race and management of the U.S. Senate, however right here in California, the occasion additionally gave up three seats within the state legislature.
Some considered the losses as a second of reckoning for the Democratic Social gathering.
Democratic leaders, in current interviews and whereas chatting with giant crowds of activists and members of their occasion gathered in Anaheim this weekend, agree there should be some self-introspection — and that there’s work to do to win over extra voters.
On the identical time, others who attended this yr’s California Democratic Social gathering Conference dismissed any notion that the way forward for the Democratic Social gathering is bleak.
Referencing this yr’s conference theme of “California Strong,” California Democratic Social gathering Chair Rusty Hicks mentioned the message the occasion hopes to convey is that “California Democrats are California Strong, that we are operating from a position of strength as the fourth-largest economy in the world.”
“This party is fighting for Californians,” he continued. “We have an outsized obligation to do that work here in the state that has a huge impact on the nation.”
Shifts in voter registration
Little question, California stays a solidly blue state general, with Democrats retaining a 20-point voter registration benefit over Republicans as 2026 barrels nearer.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Heart in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
Individuals take photos of Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., as he speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Heart in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
Rusty Hicks, the Chair of the California Democratic Social gathering (CADEM) speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Canter in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Heart in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Heart in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks on the California Democratic Social gathering’s 2025 State Conference on the Anaheim Conference Heart in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Might, 31, 2025. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes)
Increase
However fewer Californians are registered as Democrats at this time than 4 years in the past. Republicans, then again, have picked up extra voters.
In February 2021, shortly after Democrat Joe Biden gained the 2020 presidential election, Democrats accounted for 46.2% of registered voters in California, in response to the California secretary of state. As of this February, they symbolize 45.3% of registered voters.
By comparability, Republicans made up 24.1% of the state’s registered voters in February 2021. They’re now at 25.2%.
Related tendencies have been noticed regionally. In Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the variety of registered Democrats throughout this identical time interval declined by 0.21% to 1.94% whereas the proportion of registered Republicans elevated between 0.12% and 1.55%.
Hicks acknowledged that the state legislature, which is managed by Democrats, has extra work forward to handle affordability points associated to housing and the worth of gasoline and meals which might be high of thoughts for a lot of Californians.
That mentioned, he shrugged off the truth that Republicans managed to flip three legislative seats throughout November’s election, noting that Democrats proceed to take pleasure in a supermajority in Sacramento.
In the course of the 2024 normal election, Republicans flipped two seats within the Meeting and one within the Senate. All three of these seats symbolize communities in Southern California, together with an Orange County Senate seat now held by Republican state Sen. Steven Choi of Irvine.
Within the Meeting, Republican Jeff Gonzalez now represents the thirty sixth District, which incorporates elements of Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Equally, Republican Leticia Castillo was elected to symbolize the 58th District, which takes in elements of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Regardless of these GOP positive aspects, Democrats proceed to assert 60 of the 80 Meeting seats and 30 of the 40 Senate seats.
“California Republicans have run around and said, ‘Oh, we’re taking over California.’ Winning two seats and having 20 members in the … Assembly, I don’t think there’s anything to necessarily be proud of. You got a long way to go,” Hicks mentioned.
Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Social gathering, mentioned in response that Republicans are simply getting began.
“Flipping three seats was just the beginning,” Rankin mentioned in a press release. “The 2024 election made one thing clear: Voters are done with Democrat mismanagement. Californians are ready for change, and Republicans are ready to lead.”
Prioritizing midterm elections
Provided that the occasion already has a supermajority within the state legislature, Hicks indicated that the California Democratic Social gathering’s precedence and focus in 2026 would be the congressional midterm elections.
He additionally mentioned that the occasion plans to interact with younger voters by going to highschool and school campuses.
Democrats are hoping to wrest again management of a minimum of one of many homes in Congress to thwart Republicans’ makes an attempt to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, they mentioned this weekend.
Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine, mentioned Democrats ought to deal with the financial system with a view to increase help for the occasion.
“We need to think about how we talk about economics, with a real plan to help people who are struggling,” Min mentioned in an interview.
As well as, Min, the son of Korean immigrants, mentioned Democrats can not abandon core values like range and inclusiveness.
He wasn’t so involved that the variety of registered Democrats within the state has declined whereas the GOP has gained members. He suspects {that a} yr from now, the Republican Social gathering may have misplaced members as a result of, he mentioned, voter dissatisfaction with actions by the Trump administration, together with cuts to Medicaid, mass deportations of immigrants and cuts on the U.S. Forest Service.
“These policies are all deeply unpopular, and I’m predicting right now that you’re going to see a stark turnaround,” Min mentioned.
Considered one of Min’s Home colleagues, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles, urged Democrats to “stay in the fight” throughout a fiery speech on the conference ground Saturday.
She even provided a method, which drew cheers from the group.
“Democrats,” she mentioned, her voice rising, “We need to stay focused and fearless, go into red districts with resolve.”
“Phone bank like you’re bidding for Beyoncé tickets.”
Initially Printed: June 2, 2025 at 5:31 AM PDT
