CA's June primary could be decisive in GOP presidential race

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The California primary isn't until June 7 and usually it's too late to make a difference, but not in this election.

Despite the big wins for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Tuesday night, the nominations are far from settled. It could mean for the first time since the mid-1980s, California's primary could actually matter.

Presidential primaries are underway in places like Ohio and Florida, yet a small group of protesters gathered in San Francisco to denounce Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

Nonetheless, Trump is expected to take home the most delegates, except for in Ohio where a win by Gov. John Kasich will lead to a contested convention in the same state in July.

"You'll see the call to consolidate around one candidate and that likely will be Ted Cruz, which is a bit ironic because the establishment didn't see Ted Cruz that favorably before this nomination fight," said Bertrall Ross of Boalt School of Law at UC Berkeley.

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On the Democratic side, the polls show Hillary Clinton remains the favorite though she may have some issues in the Midwest.

Bernie Sanders fans in the Bay Area hope so.

"We tend to love progressive candidates in California. We have a really huge young voter population in California and Bernie's message appeals to young voters in a big, huge tremendous way," said Sanders supporter Cynthia Papermaster.

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Indeed, for the first time in a long time, California's June 7 primary could matter, for both parties, but especially the Republicans.

"I think it's good. We're the largest state, the largest economy," said Rohit Joy of the Contra Costa Republican Party. "It's definitely good for us and forces the candidates to pay more attention to our needs."

Even if both Trump and Clinton win big Tuesday, it's unlikely they could wrap up the nominations outright before California.

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