All eyes on immigration as California Republican convention opens in Anaheim

California's Republican Party loyalists convene in Anaheim this weekend following a contentious GOP presidential candidate debate in Simi Valley and facing what could be an equally spirited skirmish over immigration.

The semi-annual gathering that kicked off Friday gives the party a chance to reevaluate strategy as it struggles to gain ground in Democratic-controlled California, where it remains in the minority in both state houses and holds few key leadership posts.

Topmost on the party's agenda will be a Sunday vote on a new party platform that will likely address issues from marriage to abortion rights. But the one issue that many are watching is immigration.

State Republicans are expected to take a softer position on immigration policy than staked out by GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, whose polarizing remarks about Mexican immigrants have left the local GOP with a major repair job if they are to appeal broadly to Latino voters.

Matthew Jarvis, a political science professor at Cal State Fullerton, says voters may take little notice of the party’s immigration stance.

“This is actual, real boots on the ground change happening. But whether it makes it to voters is another question entirely,” he said.

In part, that’s because of the headline-grabbing remarks of Trump, who supports ending birthright citizenship and having Mexico pay to build a wall at the border

"As the state party is trying to soften its stance with a softer immigration plank, chances are that’s getting drowned out in the conversation by Trump and the national party moving to the right on immigration," Jarvis said. 

The state Republicans’ platform vote takes place Sunday.

With presidential candidate and Wisconsin governor Scott Walker pulling out at the last minute as a convention speaker, another GOP presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee, rose up as the main draw at the convention. 

Meeting with reporters on Friday, Huckabee was asked about his stance on immigration policy. He said he supported fixing the border problems first before deciding what to do with immigrants who are already here.

He did say he doesn't believe in amnesty, and touted his record with African-American voters in his home state of Arkansas.

“I’m very comfortable with my ability to attract minority voters,” he said. 

Former Ambassador John Bolton will speak Saturday, taking Walker's place. There have been reports of Walker's faltering campaign in the wake of his lackluster CNN debate appearance.