AP/Nick UtSen. Barbara Boxer (D-California).It's still early, but the impending retirement of Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-California) could set off a particularly wild race to replace her in 2016.
Ambitious Democrats in the Golden State have been stymied in recent years, as the top statewide offices have been held by longtime incumbents or de facto incumbents. Both Boxer and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) have held office since the early 90s, and Gov. Jerry Brown (D), who served as governor in the 70s, successfully ran for same office again in 2010 and 2014.
However, after Boxer announced her decision not to run for another term in 2016 on Thursday it seems a large number of Democrats are looking at the race in the left-leaning state.
Daily Kos Elections gave the following list of potential candidates for the Democratic side of the aisle:
Rep. Karen Bass
Rep. Xavier Becerra
Treasurer John Chiang
Rep. John Garamendi
Attorney General Kamala Harris
Former Rep. Jane Harman
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson (His office answered "no comment" when asked about his plans.)
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo
Former Treasurer Bill Lockyer
Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom
Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Rep. Raul Ruiz
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (She did not rule out a run on Thursday.)
Rep. Adam Schiff
Los Angeles County Supervisor and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
Rep. Jackie Speier
Former State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
Billionaire Tom Steyer (Sources close to him say he's interested.)
Former Rep. Ellen Tauscher
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (Sources close to him say he's "seriously considering" a race.)
Former Controller Steve Westly
Controller Betty Yee
And for the Republicans:
Former Rep. Mary Bono
2014 gubernatorial nominee Neel Kashkari
Wealthy physicist Charles Munger
Former Rep. Doug Ose
Former Insurance Commissioner and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner
Rep. Ed Royce
Former state party chair Duf Sundheim (He says he's "seriously exploring" a bid.)
Fresno Mayor and 2014 controller nominee Ashley Swearengin
HP CEO and 2010 gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman