California

California is one of the most critical states for Democrats if they are going to take control of the House. Seven Republicans represent districts that voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Democrats are hopeful they can unseat at least four of them. The most competitive of those races should come in the 25th, 39th, 45th, 48th and 49th districts. Besides the 25th, which is just north of Los Angeles, these districts all touch parts of Orange County, just south of LA, and are affluent and well-educated -- exactly the type of district Democrats are targeting. At the statewide level, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) is running for her sixth term and will face Democratic state legislator Kevin de Leon due to the California's top-two primary system. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom faces Republican businessman John Cox in the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown. Both Feinstein and Newsom won their primaries by wide margins and are expected to win in November.