California GOP Divided on Certifying 2024 Election Amid Trump Influence

In January 2021, seven of 11 California Republicans in Congress refused to certify the 2020 election results, supporting Trump's false claims.
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California Republicans Divided on Certifying 2024 Election Results

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, a rift is evident among California’s Republican congressional representatives regarding the certification of election results. In the past, seven of the 11 California Republicans in Congress opposed certifying the 2020 presidential election results, backing former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of a rigged election.

Now, with Trump seeking another term, only a limited number of California’s Republican U.S. representatives are committed to certifying the November election results. Out of the 12 GOP incumbents running for re-election, just four have pledged to certify the election outcome. Among the GOP challengers in the state’s most competitive districts, Scott Baugh from Orange County and Kevin Lincoln from the Central Valley have made similar commitments, as has GOP Senate candidate Steve Garvey.

This hesitance to commit comes as Trump and his allies continue to cast doubt on the election’s integrity, raising concerns about potential election disruptions and violence, according to election officials. Trump has repeatedly alleged widespread voting by non-citizens and suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris would only win through Democratic cheating.

The congressional vote to count electoral votes certified by each state is a procedural step in finalizing a presidential election. However, the process became contentious after Trump lost to Biden in 2020. Following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, 147 Republican members of Congress objected to the Electoral College votes from Arizona or Pennsylvania, or both.

While all 44 California Democrats in Congress voted to certify the election, only two Republican members, Rep. Young Kim and Rep. Tom McClintock, did the same. Kim, who flipped her Orange County seat in 2020, maintained that Congress lacks the constitutional authority to overturn elections. McClintock, although he had previously questioned the election’s conduct, voted to certify due to constitutional constraints.

Despite the passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act in 2022, which aims to limit Congress’s ability to object to election results, political analysts anticipate attempts to contest the election. Kim Nalder, a political science professor, emphasized the troubling normalization of election skepticism, while veteran lobbyist Chris Micheli highlighted the close race in battleground states as a catalyst for potential challenges.

Ellie Hockenbury, a spokesperson for the California Republican Party, expressed confidence in the election’s certification but acknowledged preparations for potential complications. The state GOP, aligned with Trump, has invested in an Election Integrity operation to address any concerns promptly.

Despite Trump’s previous loss to Biden in California, he received more votes there than in any other state. A recent poll shows Harris leading Trump among likely voters, though swing districts remain evenly split.

Rep. Ken Calvert is the only California Republican who, after initially objecting, has committed to certifying the election results this time. Other representatives, such as Reps. David Valadao and Michelle Steel, missed the 2021 vote due to COVID-19 but have signaled support for certification.

Strategists note that Republicans in competitive districts face a delicate balance between acknowledging election results and maintaining support from Trump loyalists. Jon Fleischman, a former California Republican Party executive, remarked on the divisiveness of the issue, suggesting that while Republicans will likely certify the results, they avoid discussing it to not alienate their base.

In conclusion, the stance of California Republicans on election certification appears to hinge on electoral dynamics and considerations of party loyalty, particularly in light of Trump’s influence and potential future within the party.

This story was originally published by Cal Matters


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