California: Activists Endorse de Leon

​Despite serving her 26th year as a US Senator, California Democratic Party delegates overwhelmingly awarded their official endorsement to challenger Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles state legislator and former state Senate President.  In voting at a special delegate session open to only 330 individuals throughout the state, 65% of the attenders this weekend at the Oakland meeting voted for the state party to officially endorse de Leon.  Sen. Feinstein, who was present at the meeting, urged the party members to vote for “no endorsement” when it became obvious she could not win.  She attracted only 7% support.  The remaining 28% did as she asked, and voted “no endorsement.”
 
The action means that de Leon will be designated as the official party candidate on the ballot, will receive state party funds, and access to the California Democratic Party resources such as fundraising and voter databases.  In the end, this party endorsement likely carries little weight, as Sen. Feinstein remains a strong favorite to win re-election this November.