LOS ANGELES – of california Its reputation as a hothouse of progressive politics is being tested in a series of events US House races He is expected to play in it again party controls room next year.

Despite being a liberal patronage, both parties see races in the nation’s most populous state as vital battlegrounds, pumping millions of dollars into campaigns that range from the beaches of San Diego and Orange County to the almond orchards and vineyards of the Central Valley. farm belt.

Two years ago, the state played a crucial role in securing Republicans’ gavels. There is now only a handful of votes between the rival parties in the House of Representatives, which consists of 220 Republicans, 212 Democrats and three open seats.

California It has 52 seats in the House of Representatives – more than any other state – and 10 count in the vote. About half of these are considered shots. Democrats dominate California, holding every statewide office, and registered Republicans are outnumbered statewide by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. But Republicans remain strong and won four seats in the House of Representatives in 2020.

The most competitive contests are concentrated in Republican-controlled districts, which Joe Biden ran in 2020. Overall, Republicans hold only 12 of the state’s House seats.

District 27: Mike Garcia vs. George Whitesides

Democrats keep coming for Rep. Mike Garcia.

The last Republican congressman to anchor in heavily Democratic Los Angeles County, Garcia, a former Navy pilot who flew more than 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, has a surprising run at beating the odds in a district where Democrats have an 11-point registration advantage. demonstrated talent. . He is being challenged by Democrat George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff.

The once-conservative 27th District runs through the suburbs and high desert north of Los Angeles. Garcia, a supporter of former President Donald Trump and with a conservative voting history, was first elected running against California’s liberal-leaning government. “I don’t want my country to become my state,” he said at the time.

Whitesides, who is also the former CEO of Virgin Galactic, says he will use his business experience to solve problems. He claimed Garcia opposed abortion rights and called her an extremist.

Garcia issued a statement to clarify his stance on the issue, saying, “I oppose the national abortion ban — California’s abortion law remains the law — and support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.”

National Republicans ran ads portraying the Whitesides as soft on crime. Like other GOP candidates, Garcia has been attacking his opponent and other Democrats on inflation and taxes.

Garcia’s military service is a significant asset in an area that is home to the defense industry and popular with veterans, Los Angeles police officers and firefighters. The son of a Mexican immigrant father, his Hispanic surname is also useful in an area with a significant Latino population.

District 47: Dave Min vs. Scott Baugh

Orange County it was once seen as a conservative sanctuary where white suburban homeowners provided winning margins for Republicans year after year. It is considered the cornerstone of the Reagan revolution. But the county, located southeast of Los Angeles, has become more demographically diverse and democratic over time, like much of the state.

The seat in the 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surf breaks, is occupied by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a progressive favorite in 2022. narrowly defeated former Republican legislator Scott Baugh. Known for grilling CEOs during Capitol Hill hearings, Porter stepped aside to run for the U.S. Senate but lost in the primary. Baugh is running for the seat once again, this time against Democratic Rep. Dave Min.

READ MORE: CA District 47 Race: Dave Min and Scott Baugh

National Republicans have described the seat as a top target.

The contest proved particularly rancorous, given the interests in the closely divided region. Min ads call Baugh a “MAGA extremist” who would endanger abortion rights. Baugh says Min’s “extremely liberal views” go against the grain.

District 41: Will Rollins vs. Ken Calvert

Representative Ken Calvert is the longest-serving Republican in California’s congressional delegation, having first been elected in 1992. Two years ago, he bested Democrat and former federal prosecutor Will Rollins by nearly 5 percentage points, and Rollins returned for another try.

The 41st District is about evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. The race is a priority for both parties: Porter and former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer have been among prominent Democratic fundraisers for Rollins.

READ MORE: CA District 41 Race: Ken Calvert and Will Rollins face off

National Republicans called Rollins an “extreme liberal.” Calvert brings the perks of incumbency, but his conservative credentials and support from Trump could pose a liability in a district that includes many transplanted residents of Los Angeles and the city of Palm Springs, which has a large concentration of LGBTQ+ voters. Rollins is gay.

Rollins says it’s time for new leadership and calls Calvert an extremist whose views don’t fit the district.

Region 22: Rudy Salas vs. David Valadao

Based on the numbers, the Central Valley’s 22nd District should be a Democratic stronghold. The party has a 14-point lead over the Republicans. But GOP Rep. David Valadao still maintained control of the seat.

He held the district from 2013 to January 2019, losing the seat for one term, then winning it back in a 2020 rematch with Democrat TJ Cox. Democrat Rudy Salas is trying to capture the seat this year after losing to Valadao in 2022.

In a region sometimes called America’s salad bowl for its vast agricultural production, Valadao portrayed Salas as a tax-and-spend Democrat while emphasizing his efforts to provide more water for farmers and his willingness to work across the aisle. “David ignored partisan bickering and demonstrated his commitment to local priorities,” Valadao said in his campaign fundraising speech. he said.

Salas, who is considered a moderate, portrayed Valadao as a Trump follower masquerading as a centrist. He says he will fight in Congress for lower drug prices, expanded health care and clean drinking water, which remains a chronic problem in some rural communities.

Region 13: Adam Gray vs. John Duarte

In the 13th District, Republican Rep. John Duarte faces Democrat Adam Gray, whom he defeated two years ago by 564 votes, one of the closest margins in the country. Duarte is often considered among the House’s most vulnerable Republicans, given his narrow victory.

Another factor is that the 13th party leans Democratic, which leans about 11 points more than registered Republicans. It also has a large Latino population, similar to other Central Valley areas, but voters statewide are likely to be white, older and more affluent homeowners. Working-class voters, including many Latinos, are less consistent in going to the polls.

Both candidates emphasize their bipartisan credentials.

Duarte, a businessman and major grape and almond farmer, says his priorities include controlling inflation and crime and ensuring adequate water supply for farmers, a long-standing problem in the valley.

Gray, a former legislator, criticized the state’s water management and put water and agriculture at the top of his list of issues. He also says he wants improvements in infrastructure, renewable energy and education.

District 45: Derek Tran vs. Michelle Steel

Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, a South Korean immigrant, is seeking a third term, especially in the 45th District, which is designed to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill.

The largest demographic group in the region, Orange CountyThey are Asian Americans and include the country’s largest Vietnamese community. Democrats have a 4-point advantage.

Steel first won the seat in 2020 and then won again in 2022 with a 5-point victory. This year, he will face off against lawyer and labor rights advocate Derek Tran, the son of Vietnamese refugees.

Steel has been outspoken about resisting tax increases and said he stands strongly with Israel in its war with Hamas. “The United States, our greatest ally in the Middle East, must always stand by Israel,” he said in a recent e-mail. He advocates for more police funding and highlights their efforts to address domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Tran warned about Republicans’ threats to abortion rights. Steel opposes abortion with exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a pregnant woman, but does not go so far as to support a federal ban. Tran also said Trump’s return to the White House would put democracy at risk.

The race will be watched nationally for clues about the preferences of Asian American voters.

Region 16: Sam Liccardo vs. Evan Low

Democrat is pitted against Democrat in the race for California’s 16th Congressional District in the South Bay, where Assemblyman Evan Low and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo are vying for the seat. Candidates are running for the seat that Rep. Anna Eshoo has filled for more than 30 years.

He fell short in the November vote, thanks to results recounted not once but twice after the March primary, which put Liccardo front and center.