With Republicans controlling the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, Democrats haven't had much luck challenging Trump's agenda. They hope to change that, and races are already taking shape.
In just ten months, California voters will head to the polls for the 2026 primary, as control of Congress will most likely run through California again.
If the Democrats hold their current seats and flip three more, they'll have a majority in the House. The seats Democrats are targeting include: Ken Calvert in the 41st district, David Valadao in the 22nd district, and Young Kim in the 40th district.
"We think these folks have made themselves especially vulnerable by lying to their constituents and caving to their Republican party bosses to take away health care and food assistance from tens of thousands of people," said Anna Elsasser, the western regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Republicans are also on the offensive in California. In a statement, the National Republican Congressional Committee said, "Out of touch California Democrats Josh Harder, Adam Gray, George Whitesides, Derek Tran, and Dave Min have made their priorities crystal clear: the radical left comes first, Californians come last. They voted for the largest tax hike in a generation while showering taxpayer-funded benefits on illegal immigrants. Voters won't forget and we'll ensure these Democrats are held accountable."
"We're looking to pick up the seats that we lost in 2026. Pick up Dave Min, Derek Tran, and Adam Gray. Those are the seats we lost by a razor-thin margin last cycle. We are taking the model that was used in Florida to flip Florida from a purple state to a red state," said Corrin Rankin, the chairwoman of the California Republican Party.
Both Democrats and Republicans are already out with ads, aggressive fundraising campaigns, and endorsements ahead of the midterms next November. Last week, former California Senator Barbara Boxer endorsed one of the many Democrats running against Ken Calvert -- Katherine Aleman, a public school teacher and former member of the Norco city council.
"The California House Republicans are running scared, and Democrats are on offense in their districts, town halls, polling. We are seeing Californians turn against the republicans' records of broken promises, and we have momentum on our side," said Elsasser.