Tea Party Republicans are getting tired of the California GOP.
After a devastating performance in the midterms, some California Republicans are calling for a full embrace of President Donald Trump, even at a time when the president has contributed to historic Democratic victories throughout the state.
Loyalists blame “the establishment” for the losses and call for the party to move in a more pro-Trump direction.
That’s why the California Tea Party Caucus is hosting a “Wall Building Dinner” on Saturday.
The sold-out 7pm event will be held at the Claim Jumper restaurant, just a couple of blocks from the annual state GOP convention. Sean Spicer, Trump’s former press secretary, will deliver his convention speech at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency at the same time.
John Berry, a convention delegate who will attend the Tea Party event, said he is disappointed to miss Spicer. Still, he’s excited to join his friends in condemning moderate Republicans.
“There’s a lot of frustration with the establishment,” Berry said. “We’ve declined significantly over the last few years, and I hope people look at the tea party and see that we’re leading the way. Unfortunately, the Republicans are talking about the establishment. We have to go in a whole new direction, a little more bold and forceful.”
The California Republican Party will decide its direction this weekend when an estimated 1,400 delegates will select a new leader at the convention.
At one end of the ideological spectrum is Jessica Patterson, who has the support of nearly every Republican lawmaker, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. On the other end are former state Rep. Travis Allen and party activist Steve Frank, who are calling for a full embrace of President Donald Trump.
“What’s at stake is the future of the California Republican Party,” Berry said. “If we go the way of the establishment, which is what Jessica represents, then our decline will continue. But if we go in a different direction, people will join our cause.”
The 30 Republican lawmakers who support Patterson couldn’t disagree more.
Rep. Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley, said his colleagues in the Legislature “are very concerned” about a possible victory for Allen, who disagrees with the premise that Trump “is of some anathema to the voters of California.”
While not identifying the members by name, Mayes said at least three Republicans would leave the party if Allen is elected president. Mayes said he plans to remain a Republican.
Allen accused Mayes and other longtime Republicans of being aligned with an “establishment that has brought our party to almost total irrelevance.”
Party officials say there is room for all conservative viewpoints.
“We’re looking forward to hearing Sean Spicer speak to a sold-out crowd Saturday night,” said CA GOP spokesman Matt Fleming. “The Tea Party Caucus usually has an event on Friday or Saturday night, so this is nothing new, and we’ve never seen it as a competitive event. Our convention is big enough for more than one meeting.” .
This story was originally published February 22, 2019 11:00 a.m.
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Bryan Anderson is a political reporter for The Bee. Covers the California Legislature and reports on wildfires and transportation. He also hosts The Bee’s “California Nation” podcast.
