Since California was carved out of Mexico and joined the union more than a century and a half ago, the state has never had a Latino representing it in the U.S. Senate. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) now has the opportunity to change that amid increasing pressure to do so.
Two Latino politicians have emerged as top contenders for the post to be vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris, who became the first woman of color to win a U.S. Senate seat here in 2016. A selection process has just begun to balance this state’s peculiar demands of history, geography and race that will shape Newsom’s decision, which may not come until the new year. CONT.
Scott Wilson, Washington Post