NPR

Senate Tracker: Democrat Kevin De León Challenges Sen. Dianne Feinstein To Bring 'New Voice' To Cali

Polls show de León is a longshot to defeat Feinstein, who has served in the Senate since 1992. In California's primary, he earned 12 percent of the vote to Feinstein's 44 percent. So why is he running against her?
State Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, speaks during a campaign stop at CHIRLA Action Fund headquarters in Los Angeles. De Leon is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Dianne Feinstein. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

This story is part of our Senate Tracker series, looking at Senate races across the country ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Check out all of our election coverage.


California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is up for re-election in November, and her opponent is a fellow Democrat.

In 2016, the state changed its primary rules, allowing the two candidates who earned the most votes to advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Polls show state Sen. Kevin de León (@kdeleonis a longshot to defeat Feinstein (@SenFeinstein), who has served in the Senate since 1992. In the California primary, he earned just 12 percent of the vote to Feinstein’s 44 percent. So why is he running against her?

The goal was to make it to the top two in a crowded primary field, de León tells Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson, so that he would have the chance to “juxtapose our accomplishments, our vision and our values for California.”

“The two latest independent polls now hold us at 11 points and eight points, respectively,”

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min read
A Baltimore Bridge Collapse Timeline; Disney And DeSantis Settle Legal Battle
Two bodies were recovered from the Baltimore bridge collapse and investigators released a timeline of events. The Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis have settled their lawsuits.
NPR3 min readPopular Culture & Media Studies
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Gave Conspiracy Theorists A Chance To Boost Themselves
One researcher says it has become "standard" for any unexpected event "to be run through a filter of conspiracy theories based on the personal brand of the person spreading the theory."
NPR3 min read
Kickoffs Will Look Radically Different In The NFL Next Year. Here's How And Why
For years, the NFL has tweaked kickoff rules to reduce injuries, resulting in kickoffs that were safer but more boring. The changes aim to re-introduce excitement while keeping injuries low.

Related Books & Audiobooks