SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Republican Party is promoting one of its most diverse, youthful sets of candidates in years for this November’s election. The question heading into this weekend’s state party convention is whether it will matter in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.

Republicans face enormous disadvantages in fundraising, demographics, voter registration and political organization. In the race at the top of the ticket, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown is seen as having a virtual lock on re-election. He has pushed liberals in the Legislature to the right of their comfort zone, simultaneously appealing to moderate Republicans and the growing slice of voters who are unaffiliated with any party.