SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — The California Senate race between Democrats Loretta Sanchez and Kamala Harris is making history, as Republicans have been left out of the general election match-up for the first time thanks to the state’s “jungle” primary system.
However, Sanchez sought to leave her own memorable moment for voters to remember during her debate against Harris Wednesday night — the Congresswoman who represents California’s 38th District became the first major politician to do the “dab” on a debate stage.
Did Loretta Sanchez #dab at end of Senate debate with Kamala Harris? What do you think? @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/YeAb0zYWsj
— Adrian Arambulo (@AdrianNBCLA) October 6, 2016
As the debate moderator interjected to let Sanchez know that her time is up, she continued her remarks for about 10 seconds before concluding by striking a pose that many recognized as the “dab.”
The “dab” is a dance move that was popularized by Atlanta rap group “Migos” in their 2015 single “Look at My Dab,” and has since become a dance that symbolizes victory.
Harris, the Indian-American Attorney General of California vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara Boxer, was not amused by the move. “So, there’s a clear different between the candidates in this race,” Harris said with a smirk.
Her campaign later criticized Sanchez’s pose and Harris’ communication director Nathan Click tweeted that Sanchez’s dab was “as weak as the rest of her debate performance.”
Her dab was as weak as the rest of her debate performance #CALSenDebate16 #CASenate https://t.co/OB9EKtf1jj
— Nathan Click (@Click_CA) October 6, 2016
Sanchez’s spokesman Luis Vizcaino confirmed on Twitter that Sanchez, indeed, meant to dab.
@jpanzar @philwillon And this is why Millennials support @Loretta2016 for Senate. PPIC poll: Loretta 38, @KamalaHarris 24. Boom!
— Luis Vizcaino (@luis__vizcaino) October 6, 2016
“And this is why Millennials support @Loretta2016 for Senate,” he tweeted.
The dab first made its way into national politics when Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton dabbed on “Ellen” in January, but it has been widely popular in the sports world.
.@official_tWitch taught @HillaryClinton how to dab. I think she’s finally ready for office.https://t.co/TeoLRpeqNl
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) January 11, 2016