California voters have made the history and elected their first new US senator in 24 years. State Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris has reportedly won the race.
Kamala Harris, daughter of an Indian Dr. Shyamala Gopalan has become the first Indian -American politician in the history to represent California in the senate.
The 52-years-old entered the senate race after Barbara Boxer announced her retirement. She became an early front-runner in a crowded primary field. Challenger Rep. Loretta Sanchez attempted to get support from Latinos, Republicans, and moderates. But it all went in vain due to an underfunded campaign.
Kamala Harris’s victory is the result of the major test of California’s “top-two” primary system. In an experiment in democracy that California voters approved in 2010 in order to reduce the highly partisan influence of the Democratic and Republican parties and give others like independents and moderates more say in the political process.
Harris has agendas that include issues like criminal justice, immigration reform, creating good-paying jobs, enacting family leave and equal pay policies, college affordability and universal pre-kindergarten for children and tackling climate change.