Adding another potential candidate for outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat, U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-48) came mere syllables shy of declaring she will be running against Kamala Harris in 2016 in a Facebook post Tuesday; Harris is the first person to officially toss her hat in the ring for the Boxer seat.
Sanchez is currently serving her 10th term in the House representing Anaheim, Long Beach, Santa Ana and other parts of Orange County. In her post, she cited her outspokenness and being unafraid to speak up as a main factors in taking serious consideration towards running:
For the past 18 years, I have focused on putting California’s working families first. From immigration reform to affordable health care to funding quality education, I have advocated for policies that give all families the same access to the American Dream. Californians deserve a strong voice in Washington and I have never been afraid to speak up, which is why I am seriously considering running for the United States Senate in 2016.
Despite being a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a Congressional caucus for Democrats who identify themselves as being conservative, as well as the New Democrat Coalition, which touts a similar line, Sanchez’s voting record has not deviated far from that of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Sanchez is of Hispanic descent. In 2007, she resigned from the Hispanic Congressional Congress after accusing the chairman at the time, Joe Baca, of calling her a whore. Prior to that, Sanchez had suggested Baca was improperly voted to the chairman position.
On December 2, she publicly expressed her support for Hillary Clinton’s yet-to-be announced candidacy for president in 2016. Clinton will likely announce that she will be running in the spring.
Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter: @AdelleNaz.