I agree; an independent would probably do well here. It's hard for someone to get through the Republican primary without destroying their chances in the general

I agree; an independent would probably do well here. It's hard for someone to get through the Republican primary without destroying their chances in the general election. California likes pro-environment, socially moderate to liberal candidates. Conservative economic and fiscal positions wouldn't be a handicap if you could avoid pandering to oil companies and anti-immigrant and religious zealots.