BURLINGAME (AP) — California remains little more than an afterthought in the back-and-forth Republican presidential nominating contest, but the primaries and caucuses over the next couple of weeks will go a long way to determining whether the nation's most populous state will matter in a way it has not in decades. Many GOP loyalists attending this weekend's state party convention were hoping it does, should no clear winner emerge before the state's June 5 primary. Cathy Statler, a hairdresser from Long Beach, said she was encouraged that California might have some sway in picking the GOP nominee.