California senator candidate makes stop in Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- California attorney general Kamala Harris made an appearance in the Central valley Friday just months before voters decide whether she should succeed Barbara Boxer.

For the first time in 24 years, a California senate seat has opened. Democratic front-runner, state attorney general Kamala Harris, made a stop in the Central Valley. "This region produces the majority of the food that the nation eats," Harris said. "It's a very important region, and we have to protect it."

The event hosted by the local teamsters union gave valley voters the opportunity to engage with the candidate.

Issues covered included labor, education and job creation. "This region needs a lot of attention and people should be giving it attention around its transportation needs infrastructure needs, in general, around its needs in terms of the economic development and growth," Harris explained.

Harris spent the morning talking with supporters about wanting to take a proactive stance on crime prevention and addressing education, economy, environment, equality, and engagement. "The issues are so critical," she exclaimed. "And California has a very big responsibility to be a bold leader in the US Senate."

Days after withdrawing from the Senate race, state assemblyman Rocky Chavez has endorsed another Republican for the job. Silicon valley lawyer Duf Sundheim. "I do understand how important the Central Valley is to the future of California and the future of the country," Sundheim said.

Though Sundheim and Harris have differing views when it comes to how to address California's water and infrastructure issues both consider them top priority. "So the decision we make today will have a profound impact on California politics for years to come," Sundheim explained.

Polls suggest Democrats are favored to hold the seat occupied by retiring Democrat Barbara Boxer. Leading the Democrats in the June 7 primary are Harris and representative Loretta Sanchez of Orange County.