The top two vote-getters in the primary—regardless of party affiliation—will face each other in November.But CA is, at the statewide level, a one-party state - Democrat.
If the current polling stands, the general election to fill the senate seat Boxer has held since 1992 will likely be a contest between two liberal Democrats: Harris (now at 27 percent) and Sanchez (at 14 percent).Harris is the more liberal of the two likely finalists, and is more popular with Democrats statewide, so you'd assume she'll win, yes? Maybe not. Here's where the unintended consequences arise in November.
Golden State Republicans, having no candidate of their own to support, will be forced to choose between Harris and Sanchez. GOP voters in California are a minority but they still number in the millions. In a presidential election year, they will turn out in force. Expect them to vote for the least liberal of the Senate candidates on the ballot—Loretta Sanchez.Ironically, CA's odd primary system gives its Republican minority more voice than they would have if there were a GOP candidate on the November ballot. It essentially forces what, in Europe, is called "tactical voting," voting for the least bad candidate.
Insofar as it causes CA Republicans to vote for the least liberal of two Democrat finalists, instead of for a sacrificial Republican, it may encourage Democrats to moderate their positions.
