You changed perspectives in your last two paragraphs. You were writing in the third person and then switched to the first person. From outside observer to a personal perspective.

I think more regional independence is coming and necessary but I don't think secession is likely. Federal land, military bases, border controls, tariffs, trade, and the like are all to complex to negotiate.

It is more important who is your mayor or governor than who is your president and that will become more so but your governor is going to remain a governor not become the president of California.

TEK