Top Candidates For Boxer’s Seat

A new poll shows the top vote-getter regarding candidates to take over the seat of retiring California Democratic Senator Barbra Boxer is a former member of George W. Bush’s administration.

A Field Poll released Wednesday asked registered voters who they would be inclined to support to fill the seat. The poll did not ask for voters to pick one candidate, but listed all the candidates, and asked if they would be favorable to supporting them.   Garnering the most support was Republican Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State in the Bush Administration, with 49% followed closely by Democratic State Attorney General Kamala Harris with 46%.  After that came a host of other Democrats and Republicans that suggest the race is wide open. As indicated in this statement by poll officials, “Large proportions also say they are inclined to support a number of other potential candidates, were they to enter the race.”

Other Democratic candidates with favorable support include members of Congress, Loretta Sanchez with 39%; Jackie Speier and John Garamendi, both with 36%; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with 35%.  The Republican candidates behind Rice included Phil Wyman, a former state senator, who garnered 24% and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin with 22%.

The poll of nearly 1,000 voters was conducted January 26 through February 16.