California Republicans kick off convention in Los Angeles

Just weeks before California voters begin casting mail ballots, about 1,000 of the state’s Republicans will gather in Los Angeles this weekend at their biannual convention. This year’s theme: “Reclaim California.”

It’s a tall order for a party that is struggling -- California Republicans remain at a historic low in voter registration, are vastly outgunned financially by their Democratic rivals and are unlikely to elect a statewide candidate in November.

But the state remains critical in national politics, as reflected by the top speakers at the three-day gathering at the Marriott near Los Angeles International Airport.

Sen. Rand Paul, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, will address delegates and guests at a luncheon on Saturday. The Kentucky senator has been spending a lot of time in California, connecting with traditional donors as well libertarian-leaning constituencies as he seeks to plant a flag in the crowded GOP presidential field.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, the second-highest-ranking Republican in Washington, D.C., speaks Saturday evening.

The sole statewide candidate who has a prime-time speaking slot is Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, who is running for state controller. All of the other statewide candidates -- including gubernatorial hopeful Neel Kashkari -- have been relegated to the sleepy Sunday morning general session.

That’s a notable departure from years past, when top-of-the-ticket gubernatorial and Senate candidates, such as 2010 nominees Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina, were lauded at glitzy convention lunches and dinners.

Follow our coverage this weekend at latimes.com.

Follow @LATSeema on Twitter for political news.