California Democrats on Wednesday were poised to claim slots on nearly every House ballot on the year’s biggest day of primary elections, a major step forward in the party’s pursuit of the majority in November.
In a state heavily antagonistic toward President Trump, Democrats spent millions targeting roughly a half-dozen Republican-held House seats that could give them a chunk of the 23 seats they need to flip to gain majority control of the chamber.
Opposition to Trump and his policies produced scores of candidates, which complicated Democratic efforts in a state with an unorthodox primary system whereby the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party. But by Wednesday morning, it was clear that Democratic candidates would compete in nearly all of the 53 districts.
Absentee ballots and a handful of close races meant that the outcomes of some key contests were up in the air and could remain undecided for days.
Voters chose nominees in seven other states in congressional, statewide and local contests on Tuesday.
