As I recall, Fuentes ran the Orange County Republican operation until he was purged by "The New Majority" (or some similar misnomer), a gaggle of wealthy RINOs who flack for the "big tent" contingent of the Orange County GOP. Tom Fuentes is well respected by Orange County conservatives who despise "The New Majority".
The California GOP is now solidly in the hands of the RINO big tent "moderates" and thus will continue to reside in the toilet on elections. The GOP cannot be competitive with these jackasses in charge.
I agree. It proves out in the numbers, as well. Here is an analysis posted by Carry_Okie that shows their strategy of "moderation" fails to win.