Harris defeated a crowded field of candidates, and will now face Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley in the general election in November to replace Democrat Jerry Brown, who is running for governor.
Harris, whose campaign has been dogged by fallout from a scandal at the San Francisco Police Department crime lab, beat out a crowded field of challengers that included three state assemblymen, a former Los Angeles city attorney, and Silicon Valley executive Chris Kelly, who poured $12 million of his own money into the race.She's already made history. The real campaign begins now, as Harris seeks to become the first woman, first Asian American and first African American to serve as attorney general in California. More here: The Female Obama.
"This campaign was about who we are and who we can be as a state," Harris said during a speech Tuesday night at the Delancey Street Foundation. "I am humbled to accept the Democratic nomination ... it is time we get tough and smart on crime.
Harris won by a wide margin over Kelly - who was virtually unknown by voters until the last month or so.
Harris and Kelly dominated the airwaves and media coverage in the crowded Democratic field. Only one of their challengers, former Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, ran television ads; while Assemblymen Ted Lieu, Pedro Nava and Alberto Torrico relied on direct mail, Internet ads and endorsements.