Many Republicans are leaving California because of high taxes and "the state is being run by liberal progressive Democrats," but the party remains in play, despite recent reports the party is losing some of its stronghold districts, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Monday.
"The Republicans are there and they are going to be voting," McDaniel told Fox News' "America's Newsroom." "They want to take back these congressional seats.
"The RNC is going to be in play, making sure we have our nominee for president at the top of the ballot and not have Democrats try to prevent the president from competing in this presidential contest."
Earlier this month, Orange County, a traditionally Republican stronghold that had been associated with late Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, became more blue than red, reports The Orange County Register.
According to figures from the county registrar's office, there are 547,485 registered Democrats, compared to 547,369 Republicans.
In addition, Republicans hold seven of California's 53 congressional seats, and both Senate seats are held by Democrats.
"Democrats are concerned that we are going to win back those seats and that's why they have just passed a law trying to block President Trump from being on the primary ballot," McDaniel said. "They know that would have a down-ballot effect since they have what's called a jungle primary, where the top two vote-getters go on to the general election.
"They want to preclude the president from being at the top of the ticket to prevent Republicans from getting through in these congressional races, that's why they have challenged California."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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