United States Senate election in California, 2016

United States Senate election in California, 2016
California
November 8, 2016

Incumbent U.S. Senator

Barbara Boxer
Democratic

The 2016 United States Senate election in California will take place on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of California, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Under California's nonpartisan blanket primary law, all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, which will be held on June 7, 2016, voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. The top two finishers — regardless of party — advance to the general election in November, even if a candidate manages to receive a majority of the votes cast in the primary election. Washington is the only other state with this system, a so-called "top two primary" (Louisiana has a similar "jungle primary").

Incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer is not running for re-election to a fifth term in office.[1] This will be the first open seat Senate election in California in 24 years.[2]

Background

Barbara Boxer was re-elected with 52.1% of the vote in 2010 against Republican Carly Fiorina. Towards the end of 2014, Boxer's low fundraising and cash-on-hand numbers led to speculation that she would retire.[3][4] On January 8, 2015, Boxer announced that she would not run for re-election.[1]

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

Potential

Declined

Republican Party

Declared

Potential

Declined

Independent

Potential

Endorsements

Primary election

Polling

Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rocky
Chavez (R)
David
Dreier (R)
John
Estrada (R)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Adam
Schiff (D)
Ashley
Swearengin (R)
Meg
Whitman (R)
Other Unde-
cided
Emerson April 2–8, 2015 881 ± 3.2% 9% 1% 1% 23% 2% 4% 13% 7% 41%
Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rocky
Chavez (R)
Del Beccaro/
Sundheim (R)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Adam
Schiff (D)
Ashley
Swearengin (R)
Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)
Other Undecided
USC February 18–24, 2015 1,505 ± 2.7% 6% 5.5%[110] 28% 5% 9% 19% 2% 27%
Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mary
Bono (R)
David
Dreier (R)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Adam
Schiff (D)
Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)
Undecided
PPP[111][112] February 6–8, 2015 824 ± ? 14% 19% 34% 4% 16% 14%
Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kamala
Harris (D)
Adam
Schiff (D)
Ashley
Swearengin (R)
Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)
Undecided
GHY[113][114][115] January 27–29, 2015 600 ± 4 28% 4% 31% 18% 19%
Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Xavier
Becerra (D)
Rocky
Chavez (R)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Condoleezza
Rice (R)
Loretta
Sanchez (D)
Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)
Undecided
PPP[116] January 22, 2015 627 ± ? 3% 2% 34% 33% 4% 9% 15%
Poll
source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Eric
Garcetti (D)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Neel
Kashkari (R)
Tom
McClintock (R)
Linda
Sánchez (D)
Jackie
Speier (D)
Tom
Steyer (D)
Undecided
PPP[117] December 29–30, 2014 401 ± ? 7% 27% 12% 28% 6% 6% 14%
468 22% 12% 29% 8% 8% 4% 17%

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kamala
Harris (D)
David
Dreier (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[111][112] February 6–8, 2015 824 ± ? 47% 42% 10%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Adam
Schiff (D)
David
Dreier (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[111][112] February 6–8, 2015 824 ± ? 43% 42% 15%

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Burgess Everett (January 8, 2015). "Barbara Boxer: Won't run again in 2016". Politico. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ballhaus, Rebecca (January 8, 2015). "The Contenders: Who Will Run for Barbara Boxer’s Senate Seat?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Barbara Boxer re-election run looking unlikely". SFGate. September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Who will become California's next governor and U.S. senators?". Los Angeles Times. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  5. "California 2015 General Election". The Green Papers. March 5, 2015.
  6. Sean Sullivan (January 12, 2015). "Kamala Harris to run for Boxer’s Senate seat". Washington Post.
  7. Sullivan, Sean (January 14, 2015). "Xavier Becerra taking ‘very close look’ at run for Boxer’s seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  8. Palmer, Anna (January 22, 2015). "Becerra seriously weighing Calif. Senate run". Politico. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  9. Cadelago, Christopher (February 18, 2015). "Democrat Louis Caldera weighing run for U.S. Senate in California". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Gamboa, Suzanne (January 8, 2015). "Who are the Latinos Who Could Vie For California's U.S. Senate Seat?". NBC News. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Emily Cahn (December 11, 2014). "10 Races to Watch in 2016: California Senate". Roll Call. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  12. McCarthy, Ryan (January 9, 2015). "Garamendi will consider U.S. Senate run". Daily Republic. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Marinucci, Carla (December 6, 2014). "Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris: War or peace in future races?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Blake, Aaron (January 8, 2015). "Gavin Newsom vs. Kamala Harris? Don’t count on it.". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  15. Singer, Jeff (January 8, 2015). "The massive field to succeed Sen. Barbara Boxer". Daily Kos Elections. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Joseph, Cameron (January 8, 2015). "California: The $1B Senate race?". The Hill. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  17. Mulkern, Anne C. (January 9, 2015). "Senator's retirement starts long-awaited shift in Calif.'s cast of political leaders". Environment & Energy Publishing. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  18. Martin Wisckol (December 14, 2014). "Rep. Loretta Sanchez doesn't rule out bid for U.S. Senate if Barbara Boxer retires". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  19. Mehta, Seema (January 13, 2015). "Rep. Loretta Sanchez considering run for Barbara Boxer's Senate seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  20. Cadelago, Christopher (January 27, 2015). "Loretta Sanchez sets timeline for U.S. Senate decision". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  21. Mikailian, Arin (January 22, 2015). "Adam Schiff ponders Senate run". Burbank Leader. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  22. Isenstadt, Alex (December 8, 2014). "California quake". Politico. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  23. Joseph, Cameron (January 13, 2015). "Calif. AG shakes up Senate race". The Hill. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  24. 24.0 24.1 Mehta, Seema (January 16, 2015). "After rolling out a cpl natl endorsements, @KamalaHarris announces 1st state endorsement today -- Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins.". Twitter. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  25. Mehta, Seema (January 16, 2015). "Rep. Bass a no-go for Boxer seat "I have no plans to run for the Senate as I remain honored to serve" 37th district, plan to seek reelection". Twitter. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Levinson, Alexis (January 9, 2015). "Scramble Starts for Barbara Boxer’s Senate Seat". Roll Call. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  27. Morain, Dan (January 9, 2015). ""No," @JerryBrownGov said a minute ago when I asked whether he will run for the U.S. Senate. That's one down.". Twitter. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  28. 28.0 28.1 Finnegan, Michael (January 23, 2015). "Treasurer John Chiang declines Senate run, Willie Brown backs Harris". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Cadelago, Christopher (January 8, 2015). "Possible successors to California Sen. Barbara Boxer". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  30. Wilson, Reid (January 8, 2015). "CA Sen President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon also out for Boxer's seat, per source close to him". Twitter. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Who would take Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat if she retires …?". LGBT Weekly. September 25, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  32. 32.0 32.1 Jared Huffman (January 8, 2015). "With Senator Boxer's retirement, the Senate is...". Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Sovern, Doug (March 11, 2015). "I'm on special assignment so not tweeting much today, but another @KamalaHarris '16 endorsement in my inbox, this 1 from Ins Comm Dave Jones". Twitter. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  34. 34.0 34.1 Seitz-Wald, Alex (January 8, 2015). "Barbara Boxer to retire, tipping off blockbuster Senate race". MSNBC. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  35. Schwartz, Max (January 8, 2015). "Sen. Boxer's Retirement: What It Means And Possible Replacements". Neon Tommy. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  36. Christopher Cadelago (January 12, 2015). "Gavin Newsom won’t run for Boxer Senate seat". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  37. Nathan, Sara; Martosko, David (March 3, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg 'is planning to run for Senate seat in 2016'". The Daily Mail (London). Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  38. "SOURCE: Report That Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg Is Planning A Run For Senate Is '100% Untrue'". Business Insider. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  39. Mehta, Seema (January 8, 2015). "Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is not interested in Boxer seat, per sources close to her". Twitter. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  40. Mike Luery (January 8, 2015). "Newsom, Kashkari among potentials to replace Sen. Boxer". KCRA. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  41. 41.0 41.1 Josh Richman (February 5, 2015). "Today's endorsement". Twitter. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  42. Michael Finnegan; Seema Mehta (January 22, 2015). "Environmentalist Tom Steyer opts out of Senate race". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  43. 43.0 43.1 Carla Marinucci (January 21, 2015). "Swalwell rejects Senate run, endorses Harris". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  44. Josh Richman (January 23, 2015). "Ellen Tauscher and Karl Rove keep it friendly in the East Bay". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  45. Mehta, Seema (January 10, 2015). "Former L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa weighs bid for Boxer's Senate seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  46. Cadelago, Christopher (January 17, 2015). "Villaraigosa making moves ahead of possible Senate run". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  47. Joseph, Cameron (February 24, 2015). "Villaraigosa won't run for Calif. Senate". The Hill. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  48. Tony Romm (January 27, 2015). "Golden chance for tech in California race". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  49. 49.0 49.1 Cadelago, Christopher (April 1, 2015). "Latest @KamalaHarris endorsement is from Controller @BettyYee2014. Mentions her work "implementing smart crime prevention policies."". Twitter. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  50. Mehta, Seema (January 10, 2015). "Former L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa weighs bid for Boxer's Senate seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  51. Josh Richman (February 17, 2015). "Rocky Chávez opens Senate exploratory committee". Political Blotter. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  52. Blood, Michael R. (March 5, 2015). "GOP lawmaker launches bid in California 2016 US Senate race". Associated Press. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  53. 53.0 53.1 Hrabe, John (January 9, 2015). "US Senate 2016: Former CA GOP Chairmen Del Beccaro, Sundheim exploring bids". CalNewsroom.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  54. Seema Mehta (February 24, 2015). "Tom Del Beccaro forms Senate exploratory committee". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  55. Cadelago, Christopher (April 26, 2015). "Republican Tom Del Beccaro announces U.S. Senate run". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  56. Ellis, John (February 20, 2015). "Fresno Republican Estrada says he’ll seek Boxer’s U.S. Senate seat". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  57. Hardie, Mark Charles (February 25, 2015). "Gay People Are Gods: Protecting LGBT Communities Is a Divine Right". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  58. 58.0 58.1 Richman, Josh (April 10, 2015). "San Diego's Faulconer endorses Chávez for Senate". Political Blotter. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  59. Horseman, Jeff (January 21, 2015). "U.S. SENATE: Don Krampe of Murrieta to seek Barbara Boxer's seat". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  60. Provost, Lee (April 14, 2015). "Palzer, former Kankakeean, makes run for US Senate in his new home state of Calif.". The Daily Journal. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  61. Dustin Hawkins (September 30, 2014). "Democratic Seats up for Re-Election in 2016". About News. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  62. Seema Mehta (February 6, 2015). "New GOP name in #CASen". Twitter. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  63. Phillips, John (January 2, 2015). "Could a dark horse replace Barbara Boxer?". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  64. Maddaus, Gene (January 8, 2015). "Sen. Barbara Boxer Retires, And All Eyes Turn to Kamala Harris". LA Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  65. Carden, Andrew (January 9, 2015). "A possible GOP #CASen contender I've yet to see pundits mention - talk show host Larry Elder, who nearly ran in '10". Twitter. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  66. Ramirez, Al (January 10, 2015). "Since I've run twice for #CASen with @BarbaraBoxer retiring been asked by many if I will in 2016. I have not decided not too but its early". Twitter. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  67. Mehta, Seema (January 8, 2015). "Former CA GOP chairman Duf Sundheim says he is "seriously exploring" bid for Boxer seat". Twitter. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  68. Marinucci, Carla (March 5, 2015). "Republican Chavez to challenge Kamala Harris in U.S. Senate race". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  69. Christopher Cadelago (January 10, 2015). "Villaraigosa ‘seriously’ considering Senate run; Steyer to decide soon". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  70. "Faulconer 'not interested' in running for Boxer's Senate seat". Fox 5. January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  71. Carla Marinucci (September 24, 2014). "Carly Fiorina won’t rule out run for White House". SF Gate. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  72. Joseph, Cameron (January 8, 2015). "Issa won't run for California Senate". The Hill. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  73. Mehta, Seema (February 6, 2015). "2014 CA GOP gubernatorial candidate @neelkashkari is definitely not running for #CASen in 2016, per adviser @aaronmclear.". Twitter. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  74. Josh Richman (March 18, 2015). "Shocker: Ernie Konnyu won’t run for U.S. Senate". Political Blotter. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  75. Weigel, Dave (January 22, 2015). "FWIW, I asked Rep. Tom McClintock on Tuesday if he’d run for #CASen". Twitter. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  76. Mehta, Seema (January 15, 2015). "Charles Munger, major GOP donor who cld easily self-fund, categorically rules out run for Boxer seat in quick chat at #RNC winter meeting". Twitter. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  77. Mehta, Seema (February 8, 2015). "In California's U.S. Senate race, GOP again sees only slim chance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  78. Joseph, Cameron (January 8, 2015). "Condoleezza Rice won't run for Boxer seat". The Hill. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  79. Diamond, Jeremy (January 8, 2015). "Barbara Boxer retiring, not running for reelection in 2016". CNN. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  80. Rotham, Micahel (March 27, 2014). "Will Arnold Schwarzenegger Go Back Into Politics?". ABC News. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  81. Cadelago, Christopher (February 27, 2015). "Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin declines U.S. Senate run". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  82. Puente, Maria (6 November 2014). "Angelina Jolie, politico?". USA Today. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  83. Barber, Elizabeth (4 November 2014). "Angelina Jolie for Senate?". Time. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  84. Finnegan, Michael (April 22, 2015). "Neel Kashkari backs Rocky Chavez in race for Barbara Boxer's Senate seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  85. Mehta, Seema (March 30, 2015). "Rep. Karen Bass endorses @kamalaharris Senate bid.". Twitter. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  86. Josh Richman (February 4, 2015). "Today's endorser of @KamalaHarris for U.S. Senate in 2016 is @RepBera. #AnEndorsementADay". Twitter. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  87. Political Blotter, "A third U.S. Senator supports Kamala Harris," January 16, 2015]
  88. Josh Richman (February 3, 2015). "Today's endorsement". Twitter. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  89. Kirsten Gillibrand (January 16, 2015). "I need @KamalaHarris by my side in the US Senate. Pls join me in supporting Kamala's #CASen capaign". Twitter. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  90. Josh Richman (January 22, 2015). "Mike Honda endorses Kamala Harris for Senate". IBA Buzz. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  91. Political Blotter, "A third U.S. Senator supports Kamala Harris," January 16, 2015
  92. Politico, "Elizabeth Warren endorses, raises money for Kamala Harris," January 14, 2015
  93. Kamala Harris (February 23, 2015). "Thanks @TreasurerSF José Cisneros for the #CASen endorsement. I look fwd to continuing our fight for the middle class". Twitter. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  94. Eric Bradley (January 30, 2015). "Long Beach mayor endorses Kamala Harris for U.S. Senate". Press-Telegram. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  95. Josh Richman (February 9, 2015). "The @KamalaHarris for U.S. Senate 2016 #AnEndorsementADay cavalcade continues today with San Francisco City Attorney @DennisHerrera.". Twitter. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  96. Michael Finnegan (January 27, 2015). "Los Angeles County D.A. Lacey backs Kamala Harris for Senate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  97. Josh Richman (January 28, 2015). "Daily endorsement rollout continues". Twitter. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  98. Josh Richman (February 2, 2015). "Endorsement du jour for @KamalaHarris' 2016 U.S. Senate campaign: Board of Equalization member @FionaMa of San Francisco.". Twitter. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  99. Josh Richman (February 6, 2015). "Today's endorsement of @KamalaHarris for U.S. Senate 2016: @AsmJoseMedina, D-Riverside (a SoCal Latino Dem... hmmm...) #AnEndorsementADay". Twitter. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  100. Josh Richman (February 19, 2015). "Alameda County DA @NancyOMalley endorses @KamalaHarris for Senate 2016 as "forward thinking strategist;" might she hope to be appointed AG?". Twitter. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  101. Christopher Cadelago (March 3, 2015). "AM Alert: John A. Pérez endorses Kamala Harris, joins campaign as co-chair". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  102. Kamala Harris (February 26, 2015). "Thank you LA Assessor @JeffreyPrang for the #CASen endorsement & your dedication to our fight for education & the middle class. #TeamKamala". Twitter. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  103. Josh Richman (January 29, 2014). "Today's entry on the @KamalaHarris for U.S. Senate endorsement hit parade: Oakland Mayor @LibbyForMayor Schaaf.". Twitter. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  104. Seema Mehta (February 10, 2015). "Kamala Harris' Senate bid endorsed by ex-state party chief Art Torres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  105. Seema Mehta (January 26, 2015). "Wesson backs Kamala Harris' bid for U.S. Senate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  106. Michael Finnegan (March 5, 2015). "Rocky Chávez cites Marine background as key asset in U.S. Senate race". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  107. Seema Mehta (March 19, 2015). "Emily's List backs Kamala Harris' Senate bid". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  108. Michael Finnegan (February 11, 2015). "Harris endorsements help fortify her against possible Villaraigosa run". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  109. "CSLEA Endorses Attorney General Kamala Harris For U.S. Senate". California Statewide Law Enforcement Association. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  110. Half of the sample were offered former state Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro and the other half were offered former state Republican Party Chairman George Sundheim instead. Del Beccaro took 6% and Sundheim 5%.
  111. 111.0 111.1 111.2 111.3 111.4 Poll conducted for the Los Angeles County Young Democrats
  112. 112.0 112.1 112.2 112.3 112.4 Cameron Joseph (February 10, 2015). "Harris leads Villaraigosa for Calif. Senate". The Hill. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  113. Poll for the California Latino Legislative Caucus, which supports Villaraigosa
  114. Josh Richman (February 3, 2015). "Poll makes case for Latino U.S. Senate candidate". IBA Buzz. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  115. Gene Maddaus (February 3, 2015). "Poll shows hard road for Antonio Villaraigosa in Senate race". IBA Buzz. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  116. 116.0 116.1 Internal poll for the Kamala Harris campaign
  117. 117.0 117.1 Poll for "allies of one of the potential candidates"

External links

Official campaign websites