No matter what way it turns out, the U.S. Senate race in California stands to make history.

The Associated Press is reporting California Attorney General Kamala Harris and U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., both fellow democrats and minorities, have emerged as the potential successors to Sen. Barbara Boxer's, D-Calif., seat -- completely shutting out the Republican field.

California's First Statewide Election Between Fellow Dems

The election will also be California's first statewide contest between two Democratic candidates, pitting Harris, the 51-year-old daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants from San Francisco, against Sanchez, a 56-year-old Latina from Orange County.

The California system sends the top two vote-getters onto the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Harris earned her way into general election season by bagging 40 percent of the June 7 election in a crowded field of candidates that saw Sanchez finish second at 17 percent with nearly half of all precincts reporting.

"We are clear of purpose," Harris told spirited supporters at a rally after polls had closed. "Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power."

Harris later stressed she planned to hit the campaign trial running early the next morning by meeting voters across the Oakland area.

Meanwhile, Sanchez assured her supporters that despite all the predictions of naysayers, "we are going to win this U.S. Senate seat because we are going up and down the state of California and asking every voter in every place to come out and vote for us."

Gov. Jerry Brown Throws Support Behind Harris

To make good on her victory guarantee, Sanchez will have to overcome the strong support Harris enjoys among liberal Bay area voters. She also boasts the endorsement of California Gov. Jerry Brown.

On the flip side, Sanchez has the support of the party's traditionally conservative crowd from Orange County. Both candidates hold similar policy positions on issues ranging from a call for an increase in the minimum wage to a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

A November win by Sanchez would make her the first Latina elected to the U.S. Senate. Catherine Cortez Masto, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Nevada to replace Sen. Harry Reid, could also take the honor of being the first Latina in the Senate.

Related