UMVA has learned that Republicans are gearing up to break their longtime losing streaks in key elections, with a focus on winning the governor's seat in California and the mayoral contest in Los Angeles.
The stakes are high, with voters in Democrat-dominated California heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide on a new governor and mayor. President Donald Trump's clout over the GOP will also face a ballot box test in a gubernatorial showdown in Iowa.
In Los Angeles, a Republican has not won a mayoral contest in three decades, but Spencer Pratt, a reality TV star and online influencer-turned-mayoral candidate, is gaining traction with his populist pitch and viral videos. Pratt, backed by Trump, is targeting Mayor Karen Bass, a former Democratic congresswoman seeking a second four-year term.
Bass has been endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris and the state's two Democratic senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla. However, Pratt's rise is fueled by his well-known status as one of the victims who lost their homes in last year's devastating wildfires, and his right-leaning focus on homelessness, crime, and government accountability.
In the governor's race, 61 candidates are vying to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, with Democrats Javier Becerra and Tom Steyer, and Republican Steve Hilton emerging as top contenders. Becerra, a former longtime congressman and California attorney general, would become the first Latino Golden State governor in modern history if elected.
Hilton, backed by Trump, is hoping to become the first California Republican to win a gubernatorial election since Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 re-election. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is also in the running, but Hilton believes he is the only candidate who can make a real challenge.
In Iowa, the retirements of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and GOP Sen. Joni Ernst have Democrats optimistic they can flip the seats in a one-time battleground state. Trump has endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in the GOP gubernatorial primary, which also features entrepreneur Zach Lahn and state Rep. Eddie Andrews.
The winner will face Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand, who is unopposed in his primary. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson is the overwhelming frontrunner to secure her party's Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring Ernst, with Trump's endorsement and the backing of Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune.
Democrats are eyeing several key races as opportunities to flip seats, including Iowa's 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts, and New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. In New Mexico, former Rep. Deb Haaland is seeking to make history as the first Native American woman elected as governor.
Montana voters will select nominees in Tuesday's primary to replace departing Republican incumbent Sen. Steve Daines, with Trump's endorsement going to former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. In GOP-dominated South Dakota, Gov. Larry Rhoden faces a crowded and competitive field as he seeks a full term as governor.
