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Both parties had high hopes for California in the midterms. Neither saw their dreams fully come true

News, Both parties had high hopes for California in the midterms. Neither saw their dreams fully come true : detailed suggestions and opinions about Both parties had high hopes for California in the midterms. Neither saw their dreams fully come true .

The battles for California’s most competitive congressional races have effectively ended in a draw after months of campaigning and more than $100 million in advertising. Neither Democrats nor Republicans have so far ousted an incumbent or won new ground in their opponent’s territory — though with a handful of races unresolved, a flicker of those hopes remain.

Each party had higher aspirations this cycle than a continuation of the status quo. Democrats saw California as a beacon, a rare opportunity to play offense in a season that appeared increasingly ominous. Republicans, giddy with confidence of an easy takeover of the House majority, sensed an opportunity to run up the score in the state’s blue-tinted districts.

Though neither best-case scenario came to pass, both sides say there were bright spots to be found in the stalemate.

For Democrats, it was triumphing over the factors stacked against them: President Biden’s subpar approval ratings, which even dipped underwater in solidly blue California, persistent inflation and precedent that cut against the party holding the White House.

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