And very big chance for U.S. Senate to have first African-American woman in U.S. Senate in generation. LAT:

California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris was declared the winner of the primary for the state’s open seat U.S. Senate race on Tuesday as a bevy of candidates competed for the second and final spot on the fall ballot.

The Associated Press called the race with nearly 9% of precincts reporting returns. Harris was leading her most prominent challenger, Orange County Rep. Loretta Sanchez, 40% to 16.5%.

Sanchez is a Democrat like Harris. Should the congresswoman place second once all the votes are counted, it would be the first time in a statewide election where a Republican failed to make the November ballot.

Tuesday’s election is the third held under the rules of the top-two primary, in which voters choose a candidate regardless of political party. Only the top two vote-getters move on the Nov. 8 general election. Compounding problems for Republicans is the dominance of Democrats in the state, with GOP candidates losing every statewide race for the last decade.