In New York and California, a GOP split screen on Trump verdict

Vulnerable House Republicans in New York and California face the same dilemma in reacting to Donald Trump’s newly minted status as a convicted criminal. But the lawmakers on opposite coasts are responding in vastly different ways.

In New York, once-reticent GOP members suddenly found a new voice, assertively parroting Trump’s complaint that his prosecution was a political hit job. In California, silence rang among targeted Republicans.

The contrasting strategies are especially stark because of the nearly identical role the two states play in this year’s election landscape. There’s not much doubt that these deep-blue bastions will end up in President Joe Biden’s win column. But with a significant number of swing seats in play, New York and California are premier staging grounds for the battle for House control — mostly in Biden-leaning districts held by Republicans. Now it’s up to those candidates to figure out the best way to turn an unprecedented situation at the top of their ticket into a winning message with voters.