US Senate contest in California shaping up as one-sided

[RandySF]

LOS ANGELES - The first open U.S. Senate seat in a generation in California was expected to attract a large cast of marquee candidates, leading to a spirited scrum next year to replace departing Democrat Barbara Boxer.

So far, that hasn't happened.

The announcement Wednesday that a third, little-known Republican entered the 2016 race speaks mostly to what's been absent from the campaign. Attorney General Kamala Harris got in quickly, established herself as an early Democratic favorite and hasn't been significantly pressured as the contest gradually takes shape.

"Right now, Harris is the front-runner and every other candidate, of any party, is an afterthought," said Rose Kapolczynski, Boxer's longtime political adviser, who is not affiliated with any of the 2016 contenders.

Duf Sundheim, who headed the state Republican Party when former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003, released a video Wednesday declaring his candidacy and promising to work for improved schools, more jobs and better roads.



http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/state/article34531527.html#storylink=cpy

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

1. No guy named "Duf" has a chance. n/m

[Warren DeMontague]

2. That's good. Harris's star is on the rise.

She is one to watch, I think.

[NBachers]

3. Duf was an unwelcome visitor on TV during the Arnold years. I thought we were rid of him.

He was the go-to guy any time the media needed someone to grunt out pro-republican anti-democratic California sound bites. He's a total downer, with the energy of a lead condom.

[bemildred]

4. Loretta Sanchez and Kamila Harris is how it looks now.

But it is Harris' to lose, and she has been an excellent AG, sober, active, and a public servant.

[jeff47]

5. Probably at least partially due to CA's "Top two" primary system.

I know when that first started, Democrats kept running into problems where they split the (D) vote such that they didn't have a good candidate in the general.

But then I moved away, so whatdoIknow.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. It has everything to do with the "top two" system

On a statewide basis only a truly exceptional GOPer would garner enough votes in the primary. There just aren't enough GOP and GOP-leaning voters. Different story in more local races like Congressional districts, assembly and state senate races.