During the pandemic, Republicans see a rare political opportunity in California

Christy Smith and Mike Garcia are seen in photos that appear on their campaign websites in April 2020.

Posted: May 10, 2020 / 07:17 AM PDT

Updated: May 10, 2020 / 07:17 AM PDT

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There was no such thing as YouTube or Twitter. President Clinton was on the brink of impeachment. Donald Trump was a New York real estate developer, building his first golf course.

The year was 1998, and it was the last time California Republicans managed to flip a congressional seat from blue to red.

After more than two decades of losing, that futility may soon come to an end.

A special election to fill a vacant House seat to the north of Los Angeles is highly competitive, both sides agree, pitting Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith against first-time Republican candidate Mike Garcia.

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