I was speaking of how it got to this, the California republicans were mostly social liberal rinos and so they were no match for the left that started running over them in the 70s, and in fact being social liberals they were largely not in much disagreement with the left on much of the foundational destruction of California.
Texas being social conservative had a powerful and determined reaction to the hard left democrat party, they fought for the school books and the schools, and fought everywhere they could, and it has largely worked.
Witness the current race for senate.
A lying cheating outright criminal pencil neck who will say and do anything to win, vs a complacent, no feather ruffling "nice guy" thinking he has a chance, not willing to go on the offensive and call out the opponant for what he is.
Conservatives need to find someone willing to go all in, and not just call the bet.