California Republicans Face Tough Decisions Ahead of 2024 Election Certification
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, California’s Republican congressional representatives are grappling with a significant dilemma: whether to commit to certifying the election results. This issue has resurfaced in the wake of the 2020 election, where a majority of California Republicans in Congress cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results, aligning themselves with former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of a rigged election.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted. Only four out of twelve Republican incumbents in California have publicly pledged to uphold the election results this November. Among the challengers in competitive districts, two—Scott Baugh in Orange County and Kevin Lincoln in the Central Valley—have also made similar commitments. In a notable contrast, GOP Senate candidate Steve Garvey expressed his intention to certify the results back in February.
The reluctance of many GOP candidates to commit stems from the ongoing narrative pushed by Trump and his allies, who have already begun sowing seeds of doubt about the upcoming election. Their rhetoric has raised concerns among election officials about potential disruptions and violence, reminiscent of the January 6 Capitol riots that followed the 2020 election.
In January 2021, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol as Congress was set to certify the Electoral College votes. At that time, 147 Republican members of Congress objected to the counting of votes from states like Arizona and Pennsylvania. In stark contrast, all 44 California Democrats voted to certify the election results. Among the eight California Republicans who were in office during that tumultuous period, only Rep. Young Kim stood firm in her commitment to uphold the election results, stating, “The constitution does not give Congress the authority to overturn elections.”
Fast forward to now, and Kim remains steadfast in her commitment to certify the upcoming election results. Rep. Tom McClintock, who also voted to certify in 2021, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Congress’s role is merely to witness the counting of ballots. However, his past actions, including signing an amicus brief challenging the election outcome in Pennsylvania, reveal a complex relationship with the election’s legitimacy.
The political landscape has changed since the passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act in 2022, which aimed to clarify the vote counting process and make it more challenging for Congress to object to election results. Despite this, experts warn that attempts to overturn the election results are still likely, particularly given the close polling in battleground states.
The California Republican Party, while expressing confidence in the certification process, is preparing for potential challenges. Spokesperson Ellie Hockenbury noted that the party has invested heavily in an "Election Integrity operation" to address any concerns in real time.
As the election draws near, the stakes are high for California Republicans, particularly those in competitive districts. The decision to support or oppose the certification of election results could significantly impact their political futures. Political strategist Jon Fleischman highlighted the delicate balance these representatives must strike, as they navigate the expectations of Trump supporters while also courting moderate voters.
With the election just around the corner, the question remains: will California Republicans stand by their commitment to uphold the democratic process, or will they succumb to the pressures of a divided party? As the political climate continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how these representatives choose to navigate this critical juncture in American democracy.
This story originally appeared on CalMatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
