Huntington Beach has its turn in the sun — California as it used to be

Huntington Beach, California's self-proclaimed "Surf City, USA," is facing a growing threat to its conservative identity. As one of the few remaining Republican strongholds in the liberal state, the beach town has long been a target for Democrats looking to make inroads in California's coastal communities. Now, with Governor Gavin Newsom's potential successor, Xavier Becerra, and other Democratic leaders setting their sights on the area, Huntington Beach residents are bracing for a potentially contentious battle over the town's future. As the city's conservative values and way of life come under increasing pressure, the question remains: can this iconic beach town hold on to its unique identity in a rapidly changing California?

It’s been a tough few years for Huntington Beach, politically speaking. The beach town — Surf City, USA — is one of the few conservative bastions left in California, and one of the only such towns on the coast. That’s exactly why Gov. Gavin Newsom, Xavier Becerra (Newsom’s potential Democratic successor in Sacramento) and the...