In the blue state of California, a Republican stronghold east of Sacramento has been buffeted by a fierce GOP internal battle for hearts, minds and votes. The tempest is fueled by a dose of local tea party politics and pits three GOP rivals against one another – and a Democrat – who are all vying Nov. 2 for California's 1st Senate District. The Republican rivalry for the seat is testing whether one of them, termed-out Assemblyman Roger Niello, can survive what for many in the GOP is a cardinal sin: voting last year for tax increases to help close a...