Kamala Harris wins California primary in a landslide, likely facing Loretta Sanchez for U.S. Senate seat

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The U.S. Senate race in California will come down to a battle between Democratic candidates Loretta Sanchez and Kamala Harris if early results from the Tuesday primary hold. 34 candidates were on the Tuesday ballot, but the California primary looks to have whittled it down to the two. The top-two vote-getters for the opening seat on the U.S. Senate will advance to the November election, with Harris as the leading candidate in what was a landslide in her favor Tuesday. Loretta Sanchez is the second-leading candidate, and now both candidates will vie to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Harris led the pack with 41 percent of the vote, with Sanchez a distant second with 16 percent of the 33-percent reported vote. Duf Sundheim comes in at third with nine percent of the vote. 

Related Link: San Diego County primary election results

Harris is currently serving as Attorney General of California, while Sanchez serves on the U.S. House of Representatives. Boxer was elected to Senate in 1992, her two-decade plus time in office coming to an end on Jan. 3, 2017. 

Harris could become the second African American woman and first Indian woman to be elected as senator, while Sanchez would be the first Latina senator. Both candidates are expected to appeal to minority voters.

Harris has drawn support from political figures like California governor Jerry Brown and senator Elizabeth Warren, leading to a big victory for her candidacy on Tuesday.