CALIFORNIA: AG Kamala Harris To Make 2016 Bid For Barbara Boxer's Senate Seat

Via USA Today:

California Attorney General Kamala Harris formally launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate and immediately pushed the nascent 2016 race to a new level. "I want to be a voice for Californians," Harris said in an message to supporters posted on her website. "I will be a fighter for the next generation on the critical issues facing our country." Harris is the first major candidate to officially declare she wants to succeed Sen. Barbara Boxer, a liberal who is retiring after four terms. The California attorney general is a charismatic Democratic who also happens to be multi-ethnic — her father is from Jamaica and her mother is of South Asian descent — and who has already won two statewide races.

Harris is an ardent LGBT ally and personally officiated for two of the Prop 8 plaintiffs immediately after the 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

Sen. Barbara Boxer To Retire In 2016

Via CNN:

Sen. Barbara Boxer announced Thursday that she will not run for reelection in 2016, setting up a big money political battle for her seat in the nation's most populous state. Boxer, the 74-year-old Democratic junior Senator from California, said that she is not retiring altogether and will continue working on "the issues that I love" through her political action committee, PAC for a Change. Boxer was first elected to the Senate in 1992. "I am never going to retire," Boxer said. "The work is too important." Boxer's announcement leaves open a contest in a blue state filled with rising Democratic stars -- including California attorney general Kamala Harris and lieutenant gov. Gavin Newsom -- as well as plenty of hopefuls on the Republican side. The progressive Senator explained her decision in a mock interview with her oldest grandson in a video posted to YouTube.

The Human Rights Campaign reacts:

“Senator Boxer has been a trailblazing champion of equality for LGBT people since her earliest days in public office,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “She was a leader against DOMA and ‘Don't Ask, Don’t Tell’ when many of her colleagues either championed or quietly voted for the discriminatory legislation. LGBT Americans need more principled leaders like Barbara Boxer fighting for full equality. We congratulate and thank her for her exceptional years of service and look forward to continuing to work with her throughout the remainder of her term.” Senator Boxer has steadfastly stood on the right side of history on issue after issue of LGBT equality, including leading the fight against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1993, being one of only 14 Senators to vote against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and securing passage of the HOPE act to lift the ban on HIV+ organ donations. She has consistently scored a perfect 100 on the HRC Congressional Scorecard.

Sen. Barbara Boxer Writes To Putin

"Dear President Putin: As the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee dedicated to the protection of human rights, I urge you to work to repeal recent laws and policies that severely infringe upon the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Russia. These efforts—including legislation you recently signed banning 'homosexual propaganda'—are not only an affront to fundamental principles of equality, but also contradict the rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Russia is a party. [snip]

"Furthermore, I am deeply concerned about the significant detrimental impact of these laws on the Winter Olympic Games that Russia is scheduled to host next year. The United States—like many other countries—will be sending both LGBT athletes and spectators to the Games. I firmly expect Russia to support the Charter of the Olympic Games, which refers to sport as a human right that should be practiced without 'discrimination of any kind.' Any attempt at discrimination will be met with significant protest and will leave a dark stain on Russia’s international image for decades to come." - Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), in a letter published today by Buzzfeed.

Democratic Senators Hold Press DADT Conference: We Will Get This Done

CALIFORNIA: Sen. Barbara Boxer Defeats Carly "Demon Sheep" Fiorina

It was a nail-biter to down the wire, but the networks are just now calling it for Boxer. Whew! And another loss for an anti-marriage endorsee of GOProud! Congrats to one of the Senate's most reliable friends of the LGBT community!

CALIFORNIA: Sen. Barbara Boxer Holding Decent Lead Over Carly Fiorina

It's looking more and more like Sen. Barbara Boxer is going to be able to fend off Carly "Demon Sheep" Fiorina, who this week poured another million from her HP golden parachute into her campaign. Fiorina has spent $6.5M of her own money so far, but still lags far behind Boxer in overall fundraising.

CALIFORNIA: Sen. Barbara Boxer Vs. Carly Fiorina Still Too Close To Call

Sen. Barbara Boxer's battle to retain her seat remains in the toss-up category as Carly Fiorina prepares to unleash an avalanche of last minute campaign ads. Yesterday Boxer launched the below ad which blasts Fiorina (in Spanish) over her position on immigration.

NOM Attacks Barbara Boxer En Español

Brian Brown: "California's Latino population is socially conservative and supports the family values of life, marriage and work. They voted strongly in favor of Proposition 8 and they are pro-life. Barbara Boxer does not share these values. She is a knee-jerk, strident partisan who ignores the values of her constituents in order to practice bitterly divisive politics."

CALIFORNIA: NOM Launches Statewide Bus Tour In Support Of Carly Fiorina

Here comes another NOM bus tour, this time in California where they are reaching out to Spanish-speaking voters in their campaign to defeat Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Carly Fiorina believes in the right to life, from the moment of conception until natural death, and opposes same-sex marriage. Barbara Boxer is an outspoken advocate of both abortion and gay marriage. Latinos want to see Congress fix our dysfunctional immigration system. We are tired of promises. The Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles has proposed a common-sense, five-point plan to reform our immigration laws. Barbara Boxer says she is for immigration reform, but in all her years in office she hasn’t done anything to make it happen.

The bus route is here. Somehow I doubt NOM actually wants to see positive immigration reform.

CALIFORNIA: Boxer Pulls Past Fiorina

When I last posted about the Boxer-Fiorina race two weeks ago, polling averages were calling it a toss-up. But several polls taken mid-month are now showing Sen. Boxer with a growing (if slight) lead.

Carly Fiorina Mocks Sen. Barbara Boxer

Over on Twitter, GOProud is cheering this ad.

New From Barbara Boxer

Nice work using Carly Fiorina's own words against her.

(Via - AmericaBlog)

Boxer-Fiorina Senate Race A Toss-Up

Only eight weeks out and the Boxer-Fiorina Senate race remains a toss-up. The pair will have a second televised debate on September 29th. Fiorina has the backing of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who yesterday launched a multimillion dollar ad campaign against Boxer.

With the Senate race in dead heat, the chamber's ad campaign could provide a substantial boost to Fiorina, who has trailed Boxer in fundraising. After the six-week reporting period that ended June 30, Boxer had nearly 12 times more cash on hand than Fiorina, who had approximately $1 million. Boxer, who did not have any significant primary opposition, had spent $5.8 million by the end of June to Fiorina's $9.7 million. Neither candidate has aired television ads during the general election phase of the campaign. "Barbara Boxer has been hostile to the business community," said Bill Miller, the U.S. chamber's political director. "Our decision shows that we believe she is vulnerable and that there is a viable alternative who will advocate on behalf of those who create jobs."

California Senate Debate: Carly Fiorina Vs. Sen. Barbara Boxer On Gay Marriage

Fiorina recap: Marriage is between a man and a woman, blasts Judge Walker, supports civil unions, supports DOMA, supports repeal of DADT. "My position [on marriage] is consistent with that of the president."

Carly Fiorina Disses Barbara Boxer's Hair

GOP Senate nominee Carly Fiorina didn't know her microphone was on when she dissed Sen. Barbara Boxer's hair. Whoops!

(Via - Towleroad)

Carly Fiorina Will Keep You Safe

Barbara Boxer worries about global warming? Pffft! Who worries about the weather?

GOProud Endorses Carly Fiorina

GOProud has endorsed former HP CEO Carly Fiorina in her battle to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer. Via press release:

Today, GOProud, the only national organization representing gay conservatives and their allies, endorsed Carly Fiorina for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in California. “Carly Fiorina is the candidate conservatives can trust,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud. “Unlike liberal Tom Campbell, Fiorina has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge; supports a strong, confident foreign policy; and will defend our 2nd Amendment rights.” GOProud announced its opposition to Campbell’s candidacy earlier this spring, and unveiled a web ad, entitled “Wrong on Taxes,” to highlight Campbell’s record on taxes. “The more Republican primary voters have learned about Tom Campbell, the more it has become clear that his nomination would be a disaster for our party,” said LaSalvia. “Like the campaign of liberal Dede Scozzafava, nominating Tom Campbell would divide the Republican Party at a time when we need to be united to turn back Barbara Boxer and her Democratic colleagues’ radical left wing agenda on Capitol Hill.” “GOProud enthusiastically endorses Carly Fiorina for US Senate and urges our members and allies to support her conservative campaign,” concluded LaSalvia.

Fiorina is anti-abortion and believes in "the sanctity of one-man, one woman marriage."

GetEQUAL Activist Kip Williams Heckles Obama At Sen. Barbara Boxer Event

Last night GetEQUAL co-founder Kip Williams heckled the president about DADT in San Francisco at an event for Sen. Barbara Boxer. Obama was barely nonplussed by the interruption and even mentioned having recognized Williams from a similar protest earlier this year in Los Angeles. Watch the president heckle back.

Williams said to reporter Rex Wockner after the event: "I was arrested, cited and released. Disturbing the peace. ... It was the first time I've done something like that by myself. ... I was close enough to see Obama's face. I worked so hard on his campaign and I still believe in him and I support him, and I wish I didn't have to have that exchange with him, and I saw the anger on his face when I started speaking. But I'm angry too, and I can't be silent."

GetEQUAL Heckles Obama At Fundraiser For Sen. Barbara Boxer

Via press release from GetEQUAL:

Moments ago, several GetEQUAL activists interrupted President Obama during his speech at a fundraising reception for Senator Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year and demanding that he repeal it. GetEQUAL activists shouted, “what about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” and “it’s time for equality for all Americans.” The President, at one point bringing his remarks to a halt, said, “Barbara and I are supportive of repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.” Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson, and Michelle Wright were then escorted out of the reception by security officers. “President Obama has been AWOL on DADT,” Fotou. “We had to reminded him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his Presidency - that DADT will be repealed because, as he's stated, ‘it's the right thing to do.’” “We made it clear our community will hold accountable our President for unkept promises,” said Wright. “Denying LGBT service members and personnel the ability to serve their country is unfair.”

Rock For Equality: Hundreds Rally In CA For Social Security Benefits

Hundreds of activists and politicians rallied in West Hollywood this weekend calling for equality in Social Security benefits. Speakers included Sen. Barbara Boxer and NGLTF head Rea Carey.

State and local officials joined hundreds of people outside the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in Hollywood on Sunday morning to kick off a national grass-roots campaign demanding equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples. The rally and march -- dubbed Rock for Equality -- was put together by the center and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in conjunction with the Aids Community Action Foundation, said Jim Key, a spokesman for the center.

At the rally, Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (D-Lakewood), who is a member of the House Subcommittee on Social Security, announced that she would sponsor legislation to provide equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples. "I don't think it's right that Americans should be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love," she said, triggering thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. "Right now, same-sex marriage couples pay equally into a system that they don't receive equal benefits from in return," Sanchez told the crowd. "Shame on this country for allowing that to happen." As of now, people in same-sex relationships are denied Social Security survivor benefits from their deceased partners because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships as valid relationships.

Go here for many more photos of the event. In the clip below, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land addresses the crowd.