SENATE RACE: Boxer Wins Surprisingly Easy Victory Over Fong
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), all but "given up for dead by Democrats just weeks, won a stunning re-election victory" last night. Boxer was declared the winner just moments after the polls closed, belying the tight race with state Treasurer Matt Fong (R), the San Francisco Chronicle reports. At her victory party last night, Boxer said, "They said I was too progressive. They said I was too supportive of the president. They said I was too feisty. They all missed something. They missed the deep support I have ... in every part of this beautiful state." The San Francisco Chronicle reports that since mid- September, Boxer "has pumped an estimated $9 million into television ads pummeling Fong's more conservative stances on abortion, gun control, environmental regulation and HMO reform" (Wildermuth/Podger, 11/4).
HMOs And Other Issues
A Los Angeles Times exit poll showed that 9% of Fong voters and 25% of Boxer supporters cited health care and HMO reform as one of two issues that were most important to them in deciding who would be the next senator, while 13% of both Fong and Boxer voters said abortion was the first or second most important issue to them (11/4). The Chronicle reports that Boxer supporters also cited her championing of those with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities (11/4). A "teary-eyed" Fong told supporters last night, "This night we're not Republicans or Democrats. After the election, we're Californians. As a Californian, I say 'God Bless' to Barbara Boxer and Governor-elect Gray Davis. ... But tomorrow in America is another day. Watch out, we're coming back" (Capps, Sacramento Bee, 11/4). Click here for previous coverage of this race.