California Democratic Party Snubs Feinstein, Endorses Rival
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The California Democratic Party has snubbed U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein by giving its endorsement to her rival, state Sen. Kevin de Leon.
He won the party nod Saturday after a vote of the party's roughly 360-member executive board made up of local officials and party activists.
A total of 217 delegates voted for de Leon, of Los Angeles, while 22 cast ballots for Feinstein and 94 voted for no endorsement.
It's an embarrassment for Feinstein, who had urged members to stay neutral in the race. The endorsement means the party will spend money promoting de Leon's campaign, which has struggled to raise cash.
Still, Feinstein holds the upper hand. She took 44 percent of the vote in the June 5 primary compared to de Leon's 12 percent in a field of more than 30 candidates.
Feinstein's allies had warned an endorsement in the race would create an intraparty squabble that could detract from important down-ballot races.
California sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party.
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