Low Turnout Likely to Be Factor in (CA) Senate Contest | LA Times

[Ediacara]

Low Turnout Likely to Be Factor in Senate Contest

By Scott Martelle, Times Staff Writer

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. — The political gathering, small though it was, amounted to a convening of the local Barbara Boxer faithful here on Kole Upton's farm, a 1,400-acre spread of wheat, nut and cotton fields in the eastern Central Valley.

Perched on mismatched chairs dragged from Upton's nearby ranch house, about 20 people listened in a metal-walled work barn to Boxer's plea for help in her bid for a third term in the U.S. Senate. Boxer didn't have to do much convincing — most were invited because they were longtime supporters.

But with only a handful of print reporters on hand and no local television cameras, the event highlighted what could be the biggest challenge facing Boxer and Bill Jones, her Republican rival: How do you get voters to pay attention during what will likely be a low-boil California election season?

"It's definitely a concern for us," said Rose Kapolczynski, Boxer's campaign manager. "I think it affects both camps…. It affects your ability to do grass-roots organizing because volunteers want to be involved in something exciting, and they want to know they're making a difference."

More at the Los Angeles Times

[David__77]

1. The default position is a Boxer win.

If there's little interest, Boxer will win. That's my take, anyway. Jones is anti-choice and a Bush supporter. There's no cloak of populism or charm to cover up his agenda. Boxer has a better position--considerably--than in 1998.

[Ediacara]

2. Has the senate primary happened already?

[ronnykmarshall]

3. Yes in March.