California's US Senate race looking lopsided despite matchup

Both women are Democrats, but President Barack Obama's decision last month to endorse Harris — the state attorney general — was a capstone in her ascent.

"What's shaping the dynamics of this race are Kamala Harris' superiority in financial resources, and that she was able to lock down the vast majority of the key endorsements," said Democratic media consultant Roy Behr, whose clients have included the senator vacating the seat, retiring Democrat Barbara Boxer.

Fallout from the presidential race has been shaping other races around the U.S. But with so much in common on big issues, Harris and Sanchez have dueled over who is better prepared for the office — a 10-term congresswoman or a career prosecutor.

The matchup marks the first time since voters started electing senators a century ago that Republicans will be absent from California's general election ballot, reaffirming the GOP's ailing condition in the state where Democrats hold every statewide office and a 3.1-million edge in registered voters.

There's still time for the race to pivot, but Sanchez needs to stitch together a coalition that would rely on her dominating among Latinos, capturing a slew of Republican votes and boosting her take among independents and Democrats.

Republican consultant Mike Madrid, who closely follows Hispanic voting trends, said Sanchez has the opportunity to emphasize crossover issues that appeal to Latinos and Republicans, such as education reform and the shrinking middle class.