Harris and Sanchez emerge from crowded U.S. Senate primary

The race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer is shaping up as a race between two Democrats.

As of 11:33 p.m., with just over 41 percent of the State’s 22,356 precincts reporting, State Attorney General Kamala Harris and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange) were the two top finishers in Tuesday’s primary election.

Harris had received 1,315,677 votes to open a wide lead over the rest of a crowded field of contenders. Sanchez had received 539,630, putting her in second place.

The top two finishers face each other in the November general election.

No fewer than 34 names appeared as candidates to fill the seat being vacated by Boxer, who has held office since 1992.