Watch CBS News

California GOP Hopes State Primary Will Be Relevant In Presidential Race

BURLINGAME (CBS/AP) -- The Republican primaries and caucuses over the next couple of weeks will go a long way to determining whether California's June 5 primary will make the state relevant in a way it has not been in decades.

Many GOP loyalists attending this weekend's state party convention in Burlingame are hoping the nomination remains contested by then.

Cathy Statler, a Long Beach hairdresser attending the convention, says visits from Republican presidential candidates would generate publicity that could help the California GOP at a time it is trying to rebuild.

She said past GOP primaries have been decided before they reached California, but said many Republican voters are excited about this year's.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who addressed the convention Saturday, says he expects California will be in play.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.