Jessica Millan Patterson: A Mixed Legacy for California Republicans
When Jessica Millan Patterson ascended to the leadership of the California Republican Party in 2019, the headlines were quick to celebrate her groundbreaking achievements: the first woman, the first Latina, and the first millennial at the helm. However, the subsequent paragraphs often delivered a sobering reality check, highlighting the daunting challenge she faced in one of the nation’s bluest states.
The backdrop was grim; the California GOP had just suffered a significant blow, losing half of its congressional seats during the 2018 blue wave. The party struggled not only against the Democratic majority but also found itself trailing behind the growing number of voters who preferred no party affiliation at all. Once strongholds like San Diego and Orange County were slipping away, leaving Republicans teetering on the brink of political irrelevance.
Patterson’s early assessment of the party’s situation was stark: “California was a lost cause … and we were going to go the way of Hawaii.” Reflecting on her initial doubts, she admitted, “And do I think that was absolutely possible? Yeah, I think that was absolutely possible.”
Fast forward to her recent exit interview with Playbook, and Patterson’s tone has shifted. Although she remains grounded — not one for excessive celebration — she expressed a surprising sense of accomplishment. “We weren’t trying to change the world,” she noted, emphasizing a strategic focus on achievable goals rather than grand, unrealistic transformations.
Under her leadership, the party registered nearly 1 million new Republicans, regaining some ground in state party identification, trailing only the Democrats. The GOP also succeeded in flipping back some House seats lost in 2018 and, during the 2022 midterms, played a crucial role in securing Kevin McCarthy’s brief tenure as Speaker of the House. Additionally, Republicans made legislative gains in both chambers, the first such achievement during a presidential election cycle since 1980.
Patterson, who raised an impressive $122 million during her time, benefitted significantly from her close ties to McCarthy. Her ability to recruit candidates was underscored by her assertion: “There is no person on the planet that is better at recruiting candidates.” Candidates recognized her connection to McCarthy as a signal of credibility and support.
Her relationship with former President Donald Trump was characterized by a careful balancing act — a mix of cautious distance and strategic embrace, given California’s status as a non-battleground state. Instead of aligning too closely with Trump, she encouraged candidates to focus on local issues, tapping into the frustrations of voters with the Democratic establishment.
Rob Stutzman, a veteran GOP strategist, lauded Patterson for her ability to bridge the divide between traditional Republicans and those aligned with Trump’s vision, stating that she managed to create a welcoming environment for both factions.
As the party faced an uphill battle, Patterson redirected efforts towards modest, incremental objectives, such as enhancing candidate recruitment and reaching out to previously neglected inland and diverse communities. “We have a limited amount of resources, and we’re going to go into places where we believe that there is a pathway to victory,” she stated, reflecting her tactical approach.
Some of the gains, Patterson acknowledged, were indeed low-hanging fruit. The party revamped its registration efforts, employing targeted digital ads to engage potential voters, particularly at locations like the DMV. This pragmatic strategy yielded results, resulting in a more representative Republican base that now includes younger, more Latino, and working-class voters.
Patterson criticized Democratic policies, arguing they often failed to serve the very constituents they aimed to represent. Her go-to example? The infamous plastic bag ban, which she deemed “the most regressive thing” imposed on consumers. “I just didn’t feel like the Democrats were speaking to the people that they were claiming to be fighting for. But Republicans weren’t talking to them at all,” she lamented.
Looking ahead, Patterson expressed a mix of envy and hope for her successor, who might finally achieve what she couldn’t: electing a Republican to statewide office after nearly two decades of drought. She believes California is primed for a Republican resurgence, citing polls showing 47% of voters open to supporting a GOP candidate. “I do think that California is ready, and we’re seeing it in polls,” she claimed, urging the need for the right candidate to lead the charge.
While Patterson didn’t specify who might break the Republican statewide curse, she suggested that the governorship could be within reach, potentially through a candidate “outside of politics.” With her tenure drawing to a close, she remains cautiously optimistic about the party’s future, eager to cheer on the next chairperson while harboring a tinge of envy for the opportunities they may have.
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**CORRECTION**: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Jessica Millan Patterson’s age.
