Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

California Counts

 

A collaboration between Capital Public Radio, KQED, KPCC and KPBS to cover the 2016 elections in California.

Series and Project Archive

 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

History Made In US Senate Race With Harris Win

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Maya Sugarmann / KPCC
 

Maya Sugarmann / KPCC

Mary Plummer | KPCC

California's U.S. Senate contest turned into a dominant win for state Attorney General Kamala Harris over her opponent, Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. 

The Associated Press projected a win for Harris after the first round of early returns had her holding a two to one advantage over her opponent. The wide gap was not a surprise; Harris has consistently led in political polls by double digits as Sanchez trailed behind. 

"This is about California. This is about who we are. We are California. We are proud," Harris said, addressing a cheering crowd at her election night returns party in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday night.

With her victory, Harris will be the first biracial woman elected to the Senate. Harris is African-American and South Asian-American. Sanchez would have been the first Latina senator.

Harris will succeed outgoing U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is retiring. During Harris' opening remarks she talked about the uncertainty of the presidential election and how she plans to uphold California's ideals.

"I intend to fight for a state that has the largest number of immigrants documented and undocumented of any state in this country and do everything we can to bring them justice and dignity and fairness under the law and pass comprehensive immigration reform," Harris said. 

The open seat was rare for California’s Senate delegation and the race to fill it was historic in key ways.

For one, the contest represents the largest test so far of the state’s top-two system in which the two candidates with the most votes in the primary election move on to the general election, regardless of political party.

The process placed the two Democrats on the ballot for the Senate seat and split traditional party alliances. 

Sanchez told supporters gathered at an election night returns party in Santa Ana that she had entered the race after some advised her not to. But she said she wanted to give California voters a choice.

"I'm a fighter and I have no regrets," she said. "Even if we don't make it over the line tonight, never underestimate Loretta Sanchez."

Several dozen volunteers attended Sanchez's event. Though many chairs remained empty throughout the night, the congresswoman was greeted with warm applause shortly when she arrived. 

A 21-year-old Fullerton resident, Krista Abasi, let out a sigh when she learned that Harris was projected to win the seat. Abasi said the news was disappointing and that she preferred Sanchez' tone and style.

"She's very passionate about what she says and she really wants the best for her constituents," Abasi said.

Harris was the early favorite of the state Democratic Party, which endorsed her over her rival -- this despite Sanchez' 19 years in Congress.

President Obama also backed Harris over Sanchez and appeared in a TV ad for her, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a fundraiser for Harris in August.

Without the traditional backing from her own party, Sanchez made a pitch for Republican support. She emphasized her national security credentials as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. But there was little evidence that the effort worked.

Few issues divided Harris and Sanchez. For example, both support immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, climate change legislation, and free or low community college tuition. 

If they parted company, it was in their differing styles. Harris appeared polished and reserved in comparison to Sanchez, whose off-the-cuff comments sometimes got her into political trouble.

In one unguarded moment, Sanchez once made a whooping cry in reference to Native Americans during an apparent joke. She later apologized. Comments about Muslims and her contention that some would engage in terrorism also drew fire.

Republicans were particularly disengaged when it came to the Senate race, there being no GOP candidate to back. More than half of Republicans said they planned not to vote or were undecided about how they would vote, said Mark Baldassare, Public Policy Institute of California president and chief executive officer.

This story has been updated.

Mary Plummer


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about California Counts

  • California Counts

    Related Stories

  • Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Recapping National And Local Results For 2016 Election

    Wednesday, November 9, 2016
    Results from the Nov. 8 Election are in. We will go to various sources to give commentary and analysis on the outcomes of propositions and races both national and local.

 California Counts

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More California Counts Stories

Eric Risberg / AP

Proposition 53 Aims To Give Voters Say On Big Projects

October 14, 2016

Can A Small-Town Latina Mayor Push Central Valley Millennials To The Polls?

April 20, 2016

Election 2016 FAQ: Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization

October 9, 2016

View All California Counts Stories  

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California is giving millions of kids up to $1,500 for college or career training. Here’s how to get it.

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California is giving millions of kids up to $1,500 for college or career training. Here’s how to get it.

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.