Editor’s note: The presidential nominating contests in both parties will come down to the California primary.
For Democrats, 548 delegates are at stake — 11.5% of the total. For Republicans, 172 delegates are at stage — 6.9% of the total. Of those, for Democrats, 158 (29%) are divided proportionally on a statewide basis, while 317 (58%) are divided proportionally by congressional district, with each district providing between 5 and 8 delegates. The remaining 73 (13%) are “superdelegates.”
For Republicans, 13 (8%) are awarded statewide, with ten going to the candidate with the highest number of votes on a winner-take-all basis, and three going to “pre-determined” delegates (the State Chair, National Committeewoman, National Committeeman). Meanwhile, 159 (92%) are awarded by congressional district on a winner-take-all basis, with each district providing 3 delegates.
The result: a district-by-district battle in both parties, which we preview for you here.
CA-14: This district includes the southern part of San Francisco and the northern part of San Francisco. It includes Pacifica, one of the last white working-class communities in coastal California, as well as Palo Alto’s poorer Latino cousin, East Palo Alto. Yet it also includes some of the most sought-after real estate in the world and the world-class surfing at Half Moon Bay. Rep. Jackie Speier (D) pushes for gun control but also criticizes Obama’s foreign policy.
Prospects:
Democrats: This should be a strong source of support for Hillary Clinton, though Sanders will have his supporters.
Clinton 5, Sanders 2
Republicans: This district is tailor-made for Trump’s strengths among working-class voters and moderates.
Trump 3, Cruz 0, Kasich 0
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. His new e-book, Leadership Secrets of the Kings and Prophets: What the Bible’s Struggles Teach Us About Today, is on sale through Amazon Kindle Direct. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.