Close Senate Race in California for 2010

Buena Park, California -- California has always been an iffy state and can really go either way. There is a little bit of everyone, and they are all active in politics. With all of this activity, the Democrats may be starting to shake a little when it comes to discussing the Senate race in this state. Barbara Boxer is up for reelection this year and no matter who the Republicans send, it looks to be a close race. This state was primarily Republican for a long time, then the jobless rate hit it hard, and they turned to Democrats. Things seemed to get a little better, but now there is another dip in jobs. Will the California voters go back to the Republican party, or could an independent actually win this seat? There is a lot of speculation when it comes to this race. The only certain thing in this election is that Boxer will be on the ballot for the Democrats. There are several others from the Peace Party, the Green Party, Independents, and the 50 other parties that have sprung up in the past several years. With the primary occurring on June 8^th, here is a look at the Republican candidates that may challenge Boxer at the polls.

Chuck DeVore

Perhaps one of the most conservative candidates on the ballot for the Republicans, DeVore is a solid candidate. He is a veteran and has a laundry list of political achievements under his belt. These include Department of Defense projects as well as Veteran's Affairs issues. He has the experience and the expertise to be a good candidate, but the problem is that California may not be very open to a highly conservative candidate. While they do elect them regularly in the state offices, when it comes to federal positions like the Senate, a candidate needs to be as close to dead center on the issues as you can be. Occasionally, a far left candidate can make it, but not one that is far right. This will hurt him severely in the polls. Californians believe that everyone should be able to do what they want, when they want to as long as it doesn't hurt others. This includes being lesbian, gay, bi, or trans, and it also includes abortions and several other issues that a conservative Republican will fight against. This may end any chance of DeVore getting elected before he even runs. In fact, before the race has even started, the predictions have DeVore at the smallest chance of beating Boxer. The only thing that DeVore has going for him is that he is well known in the L.A. and Orange County area, which encompasses a lot of voters. He has been elected in this area in the past and may be able to stir up enough voters to at least make a showing.

Carly Fiorina

One candidate that may have a big shot at unseating Boxer is Carly Fiorina. She is a very successful business woman with enough political experience to know what she is doing. She is a little right leaning, but not so much to detract from the polls in California. She is very pro choice and agrees that people should have the right to do their own thing as long as it does not impose on others. She is almost the Republican version of Boxer. While this can help her in a race against Barbara, it can also harm her chances. People are tired of the current regime and want some drastic change. If that change is not there, they will continue with the status quo so they at least know what they are getting. If the two candidates are that similar, there is no risk in staying with Boxer. The fact that Fiorina worked closely with McCain has put a bitter taste in some Republicans' mouths. She has also been endorsed by Sarah Palin, which can be good and bad. Palin is very polarized and tends to repel some voters. There is no middle of the road on this. You either love Palin or you hate her. By getting this endorsement, Fiorina has lost some votes. The fact that she is a woman can help since she is filling a woman's seat. She has also showed that she is willing to compromise and get the job done. These are all pluses in her favor, but since she is so similar to Boxer, it may be a very close election. People tend to stick with the incumbent if there are no other candidates that speak to them on a personal level. If Fiorina can break this image that she has gotten as being a Republican Boxer, she has a very good shot at the seat, but it is a little late to buck that title.

Tom Campbell

Tom Campbell is about the most dead center candidate that the Republicans can put up for this election. His grass roots movement to gain support is working and working well. Campbell is very well received by several different parties and has run a solid campaign thus far. He has more than enough experience in the federal arena and excessive foreign affairs experience. He is well suited to the job and has shown that he can work well with others regardless of their party. Campbell has not only stated these things, he has proven them in his past congressional experience. The only bad thing about Campbell is that he has actually declared himself winner of the primary. This may come off as a bit cocky. He is even going so far as to attack Boxer as if the primary were over. Very rarely will he compete against his competitors. Instead, he has spent his time attacking and running against Boxer. This overly sure attitude may turn off some voters. His slander and mud slinging campaign against Boxer will not sit well with California voters either. Look at Arnold Schwarzenegger. He won the governor election because he was the only one not slinging mud. So far, Campbell is ahead in the polls in the primary and predicted to win against Boxer in some of the polls. He promises to be the best choice to go against Boxer, but his current tactics may loose the election for him. He needs to focus more on the issues than what others have done.

There will be a close race this year for the Republicans in the primary. Depending on who gets the endorsement and how they run their campaign as to who will win. If everything stays as it is, You may see someone from the Green or Peace party walking away with Boxer's seat this fall. For now though, the race is just starting to heat up. It will at least make for some entertaining reality television.

Sources:

Real Clear Politics Polls