California’s One-Party Rule: A Wake-Up Call for Republican Leadership

California is in the grip of sustained one-party control by Democrats, and conservative ideals

are being steamrolled. The moment is akin to a professional football team dominating a high school squad that doesn’t even have a quarterback. Why is this happening? Because Republicans are being out-spent, out-voted, out-strategized, out-advertised, and out-manned. The Democrats are ascendant, not necessarily because their policies are inherently superior, but because they relentlessly out-work us in every arena.

It doesn’t matter whether the other side is breaking rules or if some believe votes are being stolen. Republican leaders recognize what’s going on—we feel the pressure—but we barely respond. Real resistance is no longer in our arsenal. Our pushback is so weak that the media doesn’t even cover it. Where is our backbone? Where is our heart, our pride, our conscience?

Leaders are supposed to lead. Leadership is about building paths to success. It is not about waiting for permission; it’s about forging ahead. When Proposition 50 was introduced, threatening to redraw the U.S. House map and place Republican-held seats at risk in 2026, we should have mobilized in full. Instead, with the exception of Congressman Kevin Kiley and Carl DeMaio, our representatives were nearly invisible. We were told millions—some estimates between $2 and $3 million—would pour into the state in the final push. I expected a wall-to-wall Republican “No on Prop 50” commercial campaign. What we got instead was silence.

So my question is: will Republicans in California ever win in any meaningful way? Yes, but the rate of victory is frighteningly low. It’s the kind of “win” where a Democrat pats a Republican on the back and says, “Nice show,” before the next tax hike is rolled out. Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom advances policies that push homeowners aside in favor of high-density development and expansive social-welfare programs. We’re told, “Wear the mask if you want to walk the streets!” (rhetorically). And all the while, Newsom dreams of turning California into a bastion of centralized power and authoritarian-style governance.

Let’s look at some numbers. According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), as of their latest report, Republicans account for about 25.2% of registered voters in California.¹ The Democratic share is about 45.3%.¹ These figures show that Republicans start the race at a sizable disadvantage—and that disadvantage is compounded when our turnout lags.

To overcome the margin by which Proposition 50 passed—which most outlets report was a solid majority of “Yes” votes—we would have needed not just stronger turnout but meaningful crossover and independent voter engagement.² Yet we didn’t achieve that. We did not sufficiently mobilize non-Republicans who might lean conservative or were disillusioned with the status quo.

We cannot afford another silent defeat. If California Republicans truly want to win, not merely survive, we must redefine leadership. Leadership is not just holding office; it’s showing up, speaking out, and rallying others to action. It’s building coalitions, crafting narratives that resonate with everyday Californians—not just party insiders—and investing in outreach that connects with diverse communities across the state.

Our next real war is Voter Integrity – Voter ID. Sign the petitions.

Let me say it plainly: we are losing. Not just in elections, but in culture, in influence, in momentum. We lack leaders who step into the breach and refuse to accept the narrative of defeat. No leaders. No winners. The culture decays while the populace, increasingly drawn to socialist-policy solutions, rises. Do not spare us. Do not be apologetic. Because we’ve been the perpetual “also-ran” party for too long, we’ve grown comfortable with it—and comfort is the enemy of victory.

Next Steps for Leadership

1. Mobilize the base and reach beyond it. We must raise turnout among registered

Republicans and also engage independents, no-party-preference voters, and moderate

Democrats dissatisfied with one-party rule.

2. Invest heavily in messaging and advertising now. The other side outworks us. We must

match them in paid media, grassroots outreach, and digital targeting.

3. Build bridge coalitions. Work with local conservatives, unaffiliated voters, small business owners, homeowners, and others who feel squeezed by California’s policies.

4. Define the narrative. Tell a positive story of conservative renewal—economic opportunity, property rights, parental choice, individual liberty. Do not rely on fear alone.

5. Develop visible, bold leadership. We need figures willing to break silence, take public

stands, and organize for the long term—not just the election cycle. If we do all this, we won’t just be “less awful” than the Democrats—we’ll start winning. If we don’t, then we’ll keep being the party that shows up, takes the pat on the back, and watches the

next tax hike roll in.

-- Gene D. Johnson Jr., Chair, Republican Party of Merced County

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¹ Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Statewide Survey, 2025: “Californians and Their  Government.”

² CalMatters and KCRA reports on Proposition 50 results, 2025.