Kamala Harris hauls in $1.6M for California Senate race

California Attorney General Kamala Harris raised $1.6 million during the second fundraising quarter as she works to fend off a challenge from Rep. Loretta Sanchez for California’s open Senate seat.

Harris’s campaign said the haul brings her war chest to a total of $3 million cash-on-hand.

“I’m humbled by the outpouring of support our campaign has received across this great state and nation,” Harris said in a statement.

{mosads}”Together, we are building a campaign that gives voice to Californians in every community. This campaign is about bold leadership that will make a real difference in the lives of Californians, and I’m excited to see so many are joining our efforts.”

The California seat, which is expected to remain in Democratic hands, is up for grabs due to the impending retirement of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

Harris emerged as the front-runner for the seat after number of possible challengers passed on the race.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti all declined to run. And while another challenger could materialize, it appears to be Harris and Sanchez as the main contenders for the seat.

Sanchez entered the field in May, five months after Harris, and immediately spurred controversy by using a racial gesture when referring to a Native American. Her fundraising haul has not yet been announced, but she had less time to raise money, having entered the race halfway through the quarter.