I don't have to wonder, I know why. They're too busy running Democrat Lite candidates against Democrats.
The last real Conservative gubernatorial candidate the California Republican Party ever ran was Ronald Reagan. Since then, it's been nothing but rubes who are utterly beholden to their RINO advisors.
Deukmejian wasn't a complete loss. Squeaky Pete was as stinker tho.
I knew the RP was done for in this state when it chose Bill Simon over Richard Riordan in the 2002 primary. And guess who played the RINO card the best? Grey Davis accused Riordan of being a RINO in attack ads, 'causing pro-life Simon to be chosen. Even though Democrats had to hold their noses when voting for Davis, they could not countenance a pro-life Governor. Being pro-life in this state is simply a politcal impossibility for a statewide office at this time. The demographics are going to have to change big-time first. Come on, this is the state that elects and re-elects Boxer and Feinstein to the Senate, for cryin' out loud! If the RP does not acknowledge that reality, maybe they could give up their permanent ballot status to the Libertarians, who might then have a better shot at actually getting someone elected.