Look, the GOP lost California when Prop 187 was overturned and the flood of illegals continued. The Democrats continue to sow the wind with illegal aliens, coming up with moronic ideas like motor-voter (automatic voter registration along with driver license renewal, no proof of citizenship needed). The only chance the GOP has in California is to follow the Trump model - abandon conventional wisdom, point out the failures of the Democrats loudly and often, and speak politically incorrect truths. There’s a strong streak of social conservatism in the Mexican community - these are not natural allies of guys like Gavin Newsome. They respect strength in men, and the GOP milksops who continue to position themselves as Democrat-lite are never going to win California again.
Actually, illegals are just a symptom of the root cause of the problem in CA.
When Republicans act like me-too feckless Democrats, they lose. Their supporters stay home and leftists will continue to the vote for Democrats. It's just that simple.
It started with Pete Wilson, and look what happened to Arnold when he immediately began to embrace global warming and other Democrat initiatives. He DESTROYED the CA GOP.
Cox doesn't stand a chance. Even if he wins, the Dem legislature and courts will stop any of his proposals.