SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Californians on Tuesday elected Kamala Harris as the state’s first new U.S. Senator in 24 years, she also became the first Indian American ever elected to the Senate with her victory.
Harris defeated Loretta Sanchez, according to the Associated Press, and in doing so also became the first black politician in history to represent California in the Senate.
With her status of front-runner for the seat cemented early on, Sanchez opted to use the underdog approach with her campaign. She attempted to rally the Latino vote for her cause, as well as California’s Republicans and moderates. However, her efforts required much more work given the nature of her underfunded campaign.
Harris, the first woman elected as California attorney general, will succeed Democrat Barbara Boxer, who is retiring after serving four terms in the U.S. Senate.
The daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, Harris becomes only the second black woman ever elected to the Senate.
