Long-suffering California Republicans see hope for November after Garcia's special election victory in the 25th District. (AP Photo/Michael Blood, File)LOS ANGELES California Republicans have been waiting for a turning point and some think it's finally arrived. The same year, the number of registered independent voters eclipsed Republicans in the state, reducing the GOP to third-place status. His win was powered by reliable, older GOP voters, while it appears younger, more fickle Democrats stayed away. But Sam Oh, who is running campaigns for Republican House contenders Steel and Young Kim in Southern California, sees Garcias win as confirmation that voters are looking for a new direction.