Republican View on Californian Senator Election

By: Anika Chandran

As of late 2019, the percentage of registered voters who identified as part of the republican party is 23.8% of the population. The republican party often advocates for limited government intervention in the economy and individual lives. They typically support conservative policies which include lower taxes, reduced government spending and a focus on a budget. Republicans often emphasize the protection of individual liberties such as upholding the Second Amendment rights (gun rights). Republicans advocate for secure borders and immigration policies that prioritize national security and economic considerations.

On the very recent topic of abortion, republicans tend to adopt a pro-life stance. California has been a blue state for many years as the minority party is republican. Dianne Feinstein has been a representative of the democratic party from 1992 to 2023. As a democrat, she has been a prominent advocate for stricter gun control measures and authored the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban which was in effect for 10 years. She has also been involved in environmental issues, and supports the legislation's attempt in addressing climate changes, protecting public lands and promoting cleaner energy sources. Throughout her career, she has also been an advocate for women’s rights and has supported policies related to gender equality, reproductive rights, and wage fairness.

Since she was a Democrat, it’s common for members of the opposing party to express concerns or their criticisms when she got elected. The current female senator, Laphonza Butler, was another democratic senator whose ideals aligned with Feinstein's. The republican party, however, was concerned about Feinstein’s generally liberal policy positions, particularly on issues such as gun control and healthcare and environmental regulations, which are often points of contention between Democrats and Republicans. Feinstein's support of gun control measures and enforcement manners may not have been in exact alignment with Republicans. While some republicans did not align with all of Feinstein and Butler, it’s crucial to remember that political perspectives are diverse, and not all Republicans would have shared the same concerns. Additionally, the political parties evolved over time, and individual positions and priorities may shift.