NEWPORT COAST, Calif. — California may be deep blue, but Republicans are betting that voters in the suburbs of sunny SoCal are fed-up with Democratic business-as-usual. Scott Baugh, is running for an open seat that is squarely in purple Orange County, and Matt Gunderson, is challenging Democratic Rep.
Mike Levin in a stretch of burbs that runs from Orange to San Diego counties. They’re betting that running on issues like California’s rampant retail crime, inflation and the border will attract moderate voters. The National Republican Congressional Committee branded both candidates “Young Guns” and plans to invest in their races.
Both districts are listed as competitive by Cook Political Report, with Baugh’s race listed as “Lean Democrat” and Gunderson’s race listed as “Likely Democrat.” “California is historically a land of opportunity, a land of dreams,” Baugh, a former state representative, told the Post in a sit-down interview before a fundraiser last week. “Some of that’s been tarnished by the progressive left in this state.
It’s still the most beautiful district in the entire country. It’s got the best weather in the entire country, and we are moving forward with reforms to make sure that we can flourish and enjoy prosperity here again.” Gunderson’s strategy is to take one of Democrats’ biggest issues off the table.
“I’m a pro-choice Republican. I believe abortion should be safe, legal, and rare,” he told The Post. “So when .