GOP fights to hold ground in Democratic bastion California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republicans are fighting to hold their ground in strongly Democratic California.

Party delegates are meeting in San Diego this weekend to consider endorsements for candidates seeking statewide offices that are all held by Democrats.

For the GOP, the outlook is challenging.

President Donald Trump is unpopular in the state, and Republican-held House seats are in danger.

The Legislature is dominated by Democrats. Meanwhile, Republican voter registration numbers have been shriveling for years.

Independents — those voters who aren’t registered with any party — now outnumber Republicans in over half the state’s congressional districts.

Still, GOP leaders hope an energized economy and anger over a gas-tax boost will draw voters their way in the June 5 primary election.