SAN DIEGO, California — California Attorney General Kamala Harris won election to the U.S. Senate over fellow Democrat Rep. Loretta Sanchez in Tuesday’s general election, after a virtual coronation from Democrats.
Harris became the favorite to win early on and received the endorsements of U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, California Gov. Jerry Brown, the California Democratic Party and a host of other elected officials and Democratic organizations.
Sanchez attempted to pull votes from Republicans who’d been left without a candidate, a casualty of the state’s jungle primary system that left the choice between two Democrats. Sanchez had held a one point advantage over Harris among Republicans.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer chose to retire after 2016, leaving the Senate race open.
California Gov. Jerry Brown will now have the opportunity to appoint a replacement attorney general as Harris leaves for the Senate.
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