LOS ANGELES (AP) — Heavily Democratic California has again emerged as an unlikely battleground in the fight to control the U.S. House. The nation’s most populous state has a string of competitive House races that are expected to help determine who controls the chamber come January. Two years ago the state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans. Both parties are pumping millions of dollars into contests in Southern California and the Central Valley farm belt. Democrats hold every statewide office, but Republicans retain pockets of strength and picked up four House seats in 2020.
