Trump to Embark on Fundraising Tour Across California

According to a report by Politico, former President Donald Trump is planning a fundraising trip through California, which could pose challenges for Congressional Republicans in swing districts of the state.

Trump is scheduled to meet with tech investors in San Francisco at the residence of venture capitalist David Sacks, followed by fundraisers in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach. These fundraisers come after Trump was convicted on 34 felony charges related to allegedly influencing the 2016 election by categorizing a payment to lawyer Michael Cohen as a “legal expense.”

This trial and subsequent conviction marked the first time a former president has faced criminal charges and been convicted. Despite this, California Republican Reps. Mike Garcia, Michelle Steel, and David Valadao have refrained from commenting on the matter, as per Politico.

Rep. John Durarte, who is seeking re-election in California’s Central Valley, expressed disappointment with the prosecution in a television interview. Scott Baugh, a candidate for a seat in Orange County, and Riverside County Rep. Ken Calvert suggested that the prosecutors had partisan motives, according to Politico.

California Republicans are grappling with the decision of whether to support Trump and risk alienating swing voters or face potential criticism from the Trump campaign, similar to former Maryland governor and Republican senate candidate Larry Hogan, who called for respecting the verdict. Politico reports that the House candidates are expected to keep their distance from Trump while he is in the state, with one prominent California Republican stating that he doesn’t believe Trump will lash out against them.

“Despite his public image, [Trump] understands that to win in these individual House seats, candidates need their own winning strategy,” former California GOP executive director Jon Fleischman told Politico. “He is aware that raising a Trump flag may not be beneficial in certain districts.”

Following the verdict, Sequoia Capital Partner Shaun Maguire announced a $300,000 donation to Trump’s campaign, while former Sequoia partner Doug Leone pledged support for Trump’s re-election bid.