Primary may shut out Republicans from California U.S. Senate race

[Norman Conch Quest]

Source: Reuters

Tue Jun 7, 2016 9:07am EDT

California voters on Tuesday are expected to choose two Democrats to face off against each other in the race to succeed Barbara Boxer in the U.S. Senate, shutting out Republicans in a sign of that party's diminished support in America's most populous state.

State Attorney General Kamala Harris and U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez will likely meet in what would be the state's first-ever single-party Senate election under a 2010 California law advancing the top two primary vote-getters to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

In recent opinion polls ahead of the state's primary on Tuesday, Harris, 51, has led the crowded field of 34 candidates. None of the Republican contenders comes close to Sanchez, 56, who is firmly in second place. Boxer, 75, a Democrat, is retiring after 24 years in the Senate.

Republicans hold no statewide offices in California and represent about 27 percent of registered voters. The state, home to former Republican Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, last elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 1988.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-california-senate-idUSKCN0YT16J

---

Sweet!

[virtualobserver]

1. the funny thing about that law .. it allows Republicans to choose the more conservative Democrat....

in the fall election.

[Norman Conch Quest]

6. I Knew That Someone would Go There

Thank you for the affirmation.

[virtualobserver]

8. I went there because it is true.

[Tempest]

10. They can vote for the more conservative Democrat

But there's not enough of them to get the conservative Democrat elected.

Loretta Sanchez is not well liked outside of her district. Especially in the Bay area. She's too conservative.

[virtualobserver]

11. I hope that you are right....in the fall.

[Tempest]

12. She spent her career railing against L.A. and Bay area politicians and residents

And they have long memories.

Brown has endorsed Harris and he carries a lot of weight in the state. He's loved there.

And blacks overwhelmingly support Harris because of her actions while AG. Latino support for Sanchez is strong, but has weaknesses.

I expect Harris to win by 5-8 points.

[KamaAina]

21. Maybe not Sanchez

but Ro Khanna is counting on precisely that effect as he attempts to unseat solid progressive Mike Honda in CA17.

[winetourdriver]

2. "sweet"

California is a case study for the nation, put democrats in charge and good things happen!

[wryter2000]

3. This makes me so happy

Ever since we rendered the Republican party impotent here, things have turned completely around.

[Zorro]

5. I'm with you

California is an example for the nation that government can work effectively once Republicants are marginalized.

[Norman Conch Quest]

7. Cue Mr Maher

[nolabels]

18. It's why they hate us

Born here, lived here all my life (except a stint with the military) and plan on dying here (a long time from now)

We cannot help it if we are trend setters, it's just what we do

[Tempest]

13. And the funniest part is, Republicans supported the open primary ballot measure

I lived in California at the time and I warned my conservative friends of what would happen. But they voted for it anyway.

Now I get to gloat and tell them "I told you so".

[question everything]

17. In all fariness, it was aimed at keeping out extreme from both sides

I lived in California in the 90s when the Republicans lost all state wide offices. And, I don't know how many seats they now hold in the assembly and the state senate. Not enough to make a difference, I think.

For example, former LA mayor Riordan could have won over Davis for the governor, but he lost the primary because he was... pro choice. And this was repeated in many primaries.

[Tempest]

22. You're wrong on several counts

Riordan didn't run for governor in the 1990s. He ran in 2002.

Riordan wasn't pro-choice. He was pro-life. And he lost in the GOP primary in large part because Davis ran effective ads that pointed out Riordan's hypocrisy in claiming to be pro-choice when he in fact supported pro-life political candidates and judges.

[DURHAM D]

4. Women Women Everywhere !

[greiner3]

16. Wtf

Having lived with 3 women had 3 female children and 3 grandchildren many days I'd agree as unresolved conflicts such as boys and now men wtf does having a uterus have to do with politics to the point where it is the only fucking qualification you lust

[DURHAM D]

19. Looks like someone is having a bad day.

I have declared at 72 hour moratorium on giving a shit about your feelings.

[niyad]

9. hope it makes all the widdle pukey heads explode!!

[d_legendary1]

14. Imagine their ballot initiative down here in Florida

This place would bleed red for years!

[alp227]

15. The Senate seat being open is the major factor.

In 2012, Dianne Feinstein faced a Republican challenger in the general election in the first Senate race under the open primary rules. Feinstein was running for re-election, so Democrats united around her.

[TryLogic]

20. 27% are republicans. No wonder California does so many things that make sense.