Let me acknowledge two important things. Republicans usually win low voter turnout elections, so they had big advantage in special election in #CA25. And I have no leg to stand on since I lost by a wide margin in the primary. But there is an important phenomemon that needs... 1/3

...to be pointed out. Democratic Party and even its voters (especially older ones) like establishment candidates in primaries. They like people they consider insiders. It gives them comfort. Republicans like the appearance of being populist outsiders (though not the reality). 2/3

So when it comes to a general election, independents decide who wins in swing districts. Independents by defintion are outsiders. This gives @GOP huge advantage. Democratic Party keeps leaning into insiders in the primary & then wonders why they keep losing general elections. 3/3