During the 2024 elections, Democrats lost not only the presidential race and control of the U.S. Senate, but here in California, the party also gave up three seats in the state legislature.
Some viewed the losses as a moment of reckoning for the Democratic Party.
Democratic leaders, in recent interviews and while speaking to large crowds of activists and members of their party gathered in Anaheim this weekend, agree there ought to be some self-introspection — and that there is work to do to win over more voters.
At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.
Referencing this year’s convention theme of “California Strong,” California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks said the message the party hopes to convey is that “California Democrats are California Strong, that we are operating from a position of strength as the fourth-largest economy in the world.”
“This party is fighting for Californians,” he continued. “We have an outsized obligation to do that work here in the state that has a huge impact on the nation.”
Shifts in voter registration
No doubt, California remains a solidly blue state overall, with Democrats retaining a 20-point voter registration advantage over Republicans as 2026 barrels closer.
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the California Democratic Party’s 2025 State Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, May, 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the California Democratic Party’s 2025 State Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, May, 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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But fewer Californians are registered as Democrats today than four years ago. Republicans, on the other hand, have picked up more voters.
In February 2021, shortly after Democrat Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Democrats accounted for 46.2% of registered voters in California, according to the California secretary of state. As of this February, they represent 45.3% of registered voters.
By comparison, Republicans made up 24.1% of the state’s registered voters in February 2021. They’re now at 25.2%.
Similar trends have been observed locally. In Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the number of registered Democrats during this same time period declined by 0.21% to 1.94% while the percentage of registered Republicans increased between 0.12% and 1.55%.
Hicks acknowledged that the state legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, has more work ahead to address affordability issues related to housing and the price of gas and food that are top of mind for many Californians.
That said, he shrugged off the fact that Republicans managed to flip three legislative seats during November’s election, noting that Democrats continue to enjoy a supermajority in Sacramento.
During the 2024 general election, Republicans flipped two seats in the Assembly and one in the Senate. All three of those seats represent communities in Southern California, including an Orange County Senate seat now held by Republican state Sen. Steven Choi of Irvine.
In the Assembly, Republican Jeff Gonzalez now represents the 36th District, which includes parts of Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Similarly, Republican Leticia Castillo was elected to represent the 58th District, which takes in parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Despite those GOP gains, Democrats continue to claim 60 of the 80 Assembly seats and 30 of the 40 Senate seats.
“California Republicans have run around and said, ‘Oh, we’re taking over California.’ Winning two seats and having 20 members in the … Assembly, I don’t think there’s anything to necessarily be proud of. You got a long way to go,” Hicks said.
Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party, said in response that Republicans are just getting started.
“Flipping three seats was just the beginning,” Rankin said in a statement. “The 2024 election made one thing clear: Voters are done with Democrat mismanagement. Californians are ready for change, and Republicans are ready to lead.”
Prioritizing midterm elections
Given that the party already has a supermajority in the state legislature, Hicks indicated that the California Democratic Party’s priority and focus in 2026 will be the congressional midterm elections.
He also said that the party plans to engage with young voters by going to high school and college campuses.
Democrats are hoping to wrest back control of at least one of the houses in Congress to thwart Republicans’ attempts to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, they said this weekend.
Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine, said Democrats should focus on the economy in order to boost support for the party.
“We need to think about how we talk about economics, with a real plan to help people who are struggling,” Min said in an interview.
In addition, Min, the son of Korean immigrants, said Democrats cannot abandon core values like diversity and inclusiveness.
He wasn’t so concerned that the number of registered Democrats in the state has declined while the GOP has gained members. He suspects that a year from now, the Republican Party will have lost members due to, he said, voter dissatisfaction with actions by the Trump administration, including cuts to Medicaid, mass deportations of immigrants and cuts at the U.S. Forest Service.
“These policies are all deeply unpopular, and I’m predicting right now that you’re going to see a stark turnaround,” Min said.
One of Min’s House colleagues, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles, urged Democrats to “stay in the fight” during a fiery speech on the convention floor Saturday.
She even offered a strategy, which drew cheers from the crowd.
“Democrats,” she said. her voice rising, “We need to stay focused and fearless, go into red districts with resolve.”
“Phone bank like you’re bidding for Beyoncé tickets.”
