A closer look: Senate seat at stake in California election
By Harold Lee
Oct. 26, 2004 9:00 p.m.
With U.S. Senate elections coinciding with the presidential
election, voters in a number of states, including California, will
have the opportunity to elect senators this year.
But many have focused so much on the presidential election that
the Senate race has almost been neglected.
“I haven’t been watching TV and I’ve been busy
with activities,” said Sammie Hau, a second-year undeclared
student. “I don’t even know who’s running for
Senate.”
For many, electing a senator, like electing a president,
requires much consideration.
“Of course a senator can write bills and try to get a
majority to vote “˜yea’ for them, so (the Senate
elections are) important for that reason,” said Tim
Groseclose, associate professor of political science.
In California, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate
position is incumbent Barbara Boxer, who has held the position
since 1992. The Republican candidate is Bill Jones, who held the
position of state secretary from 1994 to 2002.
While the outcome of the presidential race is up in the air,
analysts have a good idea who will be senator.
“My hunch is that it’s not a close race,”
Groseclose said. “From what I’ve heard … Boxer has it
wrapped up.”
In light of budget cuts and the potential of doubled or tripled
student fees, education is one of the key issues in the Senate
race.
According to the Boxer campaign Web site, Boxer has voted to
increase the size of Pell Grants for low-income students, supported
increasing the tuition tax credit and supports increasing the
deduction for interest on student loans.
The Jones campaign is determined to make sure Californians
receive their “fair share” when it comes to federal
support for state programs like education.
“We have a wonderful state system and we need to make sure
that not only do we get the monies so that we can adequately fund
our universities, but also have strong jobs and companies that our
college graduates can go to here in California,” said
Christine Ribeiro Rubin, a spokeswoman for the Bill Jones
campaign.
While Boxer, a Democrat, is likely to win, with 34 seats being
contested for the U.S. Senate, experts are sure Republicans will
hold the majority in the Senate.
The chance that the Democrats will have about 50 seats is about
one out of four, Groseclose said, citing the betting markets, in
which people can bet on election outcomes.
“I think the best predictors are the betting
markets,” he said. “Better than polls and better than
what we can generate.”
