It’s a presidential election year, so that means California’s primary election is on “Super Tuesday” in March instead of June. But unless something dramatic befalls one of the frontrunners — former President Donald Trump and President Biden — that isn’t likely to be the most talked-about race in California leading up to March 5.
Instead, the focus is on the U.S. Senate race. The seat was filled by Dianne Feinstein from 1993 until her death last September. Then Sen. Laphonza Butler, the temporary replacement appointed by Newsom, shocked the political world by not trying to keep the job. Three big-name Democrats — U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — are running, as are Republicans Eric Early and Steve Garvey, though Garvey is known in sports, not politics. The top two finishers, no matter their party, move on to the Nov. 5 general election.
What does a U.S. Senator for California do?
Senators represent their state’s interests in crafting federal laws and policies that govern our country. They must also:
- Parse dense legislation and policy proposals and pick key issues to make a mark.
- Vet the president’s judicial, cabinet and diplomatic appointees.
- Be patient because the Senate runs on seniority and new members can expect to have little power.
Why the U.S. Senate race is on your ballot twice
The first thing voters in the March 5 primary might notice is that they are being asked to cast two ballots for Senator: Voters will choose a senator for both a two-month term and the standard six-year term (beginning in January). Here’s the full list of candidates. And you won’t find the current officeholder among them, which is highly unusual.
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