California Democrats split on Schiff and Lee endorsement in Senate race
California Democrats Divided on Endorsement for Senate Race
California Democrats were unable to reach a consensus on who to endorse in the highly anticipated United States Senate race. None of the candidates managed to secure the required 60% of the convention delegate vote.
Reps. Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee emerged as the frontrunners, garnering 40% and 41% support respectively from the convention attendees. Rep. Katie Porter secured 16% of the votes from the 2322 delegates who participated in the ballot. A small percentage, 2%, chose not to endorse any candidate.
Liberal Politics Prevail at the Convention
The convention results, which were finalized on Sunday, reflect the progressive leanings of the delegates who attended the three-day event in Sacramento.
The candidates will now compete in California’s open top-two primary, scheduled for March 5, followed by the general election on November 5.
Earlier this month, a poll conducted by the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies revealed that Porter was leading Schiff among likely voters in the state, with 17% support. Schiff’s popularity had dipped to 16% from 20% in August. Republican candidate Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player, garnered 10% support, while Lee secured 9%.
Other Republican candidates, James Bradley and Eric Early, received 7% and 4% respectively, in contrast to the 1% support for Democratic contenders Lexie Reese and Christina Pascucci. A significant portion of Californian respondents, 30%, remained undecided.
According to the poll, Porter is favored by voters under the age of 50, Schiff is more popular among those over 65, and Lee dominates among California’s black electorate.
“While Garvey’s candidacy seems to have made a splash among the state’s Republican voters, Porter and Schiff are still neck and neck at this point, and remain ahead of the rest of the field,” said G. Cristina Mora, co-director of the IGS.
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How does the division within the California Democratic Party impact their chances of holding the Senate seat?
Of the three Democratic candidates – Kevin de León, Dianne Feinstein, and Pat Harris – were able to secure the necessary two-thirds majority vote at the California Democratic Party’s convention in San Diego.
This division among Democratic Party members highlights the deep ideological rift within the California Democratic Party. In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards more progressive politics in the state, with a growing number of Democrats embracing progressive policies such as universal healthcare and free college tuition. This shift is evident in the rise of Kevin de León, a state senator representing Los Angeles, who has positioned himself as a progressive alternative to the more moderate Feinstein.
Kevin de León has gained support from several progressive organizations and influential figures, including Our Revolution, a group founded by supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders. His campaign has focused on issues such as income inequality, climate change, and criminal justice reform. De León’s progressive platform resonates with many Democratic voters in California who believe that the party should take a more radical stance on key issues.
On the other hand, Senator Dianne Feinstein has been a fixture in California politics for nearly four decades. With her experience and established reputation, she has garnered the support of many longtime Democratic Party members. Feinstein, who is considered a more moderate Democrat, has a more centrist approach on various issues. She has been known for her willingness to work across the aisle and find common ground with Republicans, a quality that some California Democrats appreciate in an increasingly divided political climate.
While both de León and Feinstein have their supporters, there is a concern among Democrats that a highly contested primary could weaken the party’s chances of holding the Senate seat. With the increasingly polarized political landscape, a divided Democratic Party could potentially allow a Republican candidate to seize the opportunity and secure the seat in a state that has deep-rooted Democratic leanings.
Some Democrats argue that unity should be the priority, urging the party to throw their support behind the candidate with the best chance of defeating a Republican opponent. They fear that a divided party could lead to a repeat of the 2016 presidential election, when infighting within the Democratic Party allowed Donald Trump to secure the presidency.
The lack of consensus on an endorsement for the Senate race also reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party nationwide. Since the 2016 election, there has been a growing debate within the party over its future direction. Progressives argue that the party needs to embrace more left-leaning policies and move away from the perceived corporate influence. Centrist Democrats, on the other hand, argue that a more moderate approach is necessary to appeal to a broader base of voters.
The California Senate race will undoubtedly be one to watch, as it will have far-reaching implications not only for the state but also for the Democratic Party as a whole. The outcome of the primary will determine the party’s direction moving forward and could shape the future of American politics. Whether Democrats can come together and unite behind a single candidate remains to be seen, but it is clear that the divisions within the party are deep and may take time to heal.
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