California Republicans scarce in 2014 statewide races
Source: Sacramento Bee
... Just five months ahead of the primary election this year, Republicans have yet to even field a candidate against Attorney General Kamala Harris.
The lack of competition for the state’s top law-enforcement post and other down-ticket contests, political consultants of both major parties say, underscores the party’s shallow bench and tarnished standing as it copes with the state’s rapidly shifting demographics.
... “Their problem is that they don’t just lack a deep bench, their entire arena is empty,” said Jason Kinney, a Democratic political consultant. “California Republicans just don’t have anybody around who can move the needle. They’ve got to rebuild from the ground up, which is going to be a long-term play, and in the short term that’s going to hurt them.”
... Given how the primary field is shaping up, it appears inevitable that at least one statewide race will be an intraparty contest between Democrats, said Garry South, a Democratic strategist.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/30/6113344/california-republicans-scarce.html