Democratic infighting roils California swing districts that could be key to US House control

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats have dominated California politics for years, but party infighting heading into Tuesday’s primaries could give Republicans an edge in swing U.S. House districts that are expected to help determine control of Congress.

In Southern California’s 47th District, which includes famed surf breaks in Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, Democrats Dave Min and Joanna Weiss and their respective supporters are bickering through a haze of back-and-forth charges involving a drunken driving arrest and allegations of profiteering from sexual predators.

In the Central Valley farm belt, bitter exchanges between Democrats Rudy Salas and Melissa Hurtado in the 22nd District have prompted fears in the party that two Republicans could end up on the November ballot, with the Democrats boxed out.

With Republicans now holding a 219-213 edge, with three ovacancies, it’s hard to understate the stakes.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> More snow is on the way without much of a break for the blizzard-hit Sierra Nevada </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> In a rural California region, a plan takes shape to provide shade from dangerous heat </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> A massive blizzard howls in the Sierra Nevada. High winds and heavy snow close roads and ski resorts </bsp-custom-headline> </bsp-list-loadmore>

North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, who heads the House Republican campaign arm, has called the