You are somewhat correct.
However the Republican party in California is a total mess! They cannot field a viable candidate.
They tend to field these unrelatable candidates that seem to be in it for the glory and not for helping people.
The party has basically given up and died in California.
They could resurrect Ronald Reagan and he'd still lose out there by a landslide. California is gone. Permanently.
California's purpose for national GOP candidates is fundraising. Actual campaign appearances there add up to a waste of time.