Ed Musgrove

Carl DeMaio, a San Diego Republican, is advocating for California Republicans to adopt a right-leaning strategy to energize their base rather than moderate to attract more voters. His Reform California movement supported candidates like Kristie Bruce-Lane in the June primary, leading to victories over establishment GOP picks in San Diego and the Central Valley. Bruce-Lane, backed by DeMaio's Reform Local Government PAC, defeated Ed Musgrove, a local official with GOP endorsements, in a Senate District 40 race.

Right-wing group Reform California defeated establishment Republican candidates in June primaries. Candidates backed by Reform California, including Kristie Bruce-Lane and Darin DuPont, outperformed party-endorsed rivals despite a cease-and-desist letter from GOP leaders. Reform California's influence grows as it challenges traditional GOP strategies in California.