Republicans worried a tough primary will protect vulnerable Calif. Dem

Republicans are worried history is about to repeat itself in California's 11th district, where a tough primary in 2010 hamstrung the party's nominee against a vulnerable Democratic incumbent.

Republican David Harmer emerged from the four-way primary race and came within some 2,700 votes of unseating Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.) in November.

During the primary, "David was the target and he came out of it with high negatives," said Tim Clark, a GOP consultant who advised Harmer. "Our guy or gal, whoever it is, cannot go through that wringer again and face McNerney."

Clark said he's concerned about the potential for a multi-candidate GOP field competing in the state's new primary system. The new rules stipulate that the top-two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance out of an open primary to the general election.

"It could potentially make it a more brutal process," Clark said. "It would potentially be a more expensive process."

Since edging out Harmer by 1.1 percent in November, McNerney's made the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's list of vulnerable incumbents, and was targeted this month by a National Republican Congressional Committee TV ad.

Sensing an opportunity, 24-year-old Republican Ricky Gill has thrown his hat in the ring to challenge McNerney, according to The Sacramento Bee. He's expected to be joined by others, but other Republicans are waiting to see how the district, where the GOP currently has a narrow registration advantage, looks after redistricting.

Another name being mentioned is Elizabeth Emken, a former executive at Autism Speaks, an advocacy group. "Elizabeth is thinking about the race," said Clark, who has yet to sign onto an 11th district campaign. "She's preparing for the race. We all expect she'll get in the race" unless the district is radically redrawn.

Sources say it's also possible, but unlikely, Harmer runs again.