As Boxer steps down from Senate, California Democrats and Republicans scramble for candidates

After more than 20 years, Boxer will not seek reelection in 2016

For just a little more than two decades Barbara Boxer has represented California as a Senator, but with a surprise announcement on January 8, the 74-year-old Democratic politician has announced that she will not seek reelection in 2016.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - This announcement means that 2015 and 2016 will see a fury of activity in the nation's most populous state, as parties-especially the Democrats-scramble to put up a candidate to replace Boxer.

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Boxer did say that she is not leaving the political scene, and will continue to fight on "the issues that I love," primarily through PAC for a Change, her political action committee.

"I am never going to retire," she said. This "work is too important."

This move is set to open up one of the most competitive non-presidential races in 2016, especially in the primary, where California's deep bench of Democratic hopefuls will be engaged in inter-party fighting for the nomination.

California Representative John Garamendi is one of those. "I will consider it," he said. "I have been asked by several people to consider the U.S. Senate because of my years of service in the U.S. Congress and having been elected statewide as Lieutenant Governor and Insurance Commissioner, along with executive experience in the Interior Department."

Representative Garamendi said that Boxer is an "outstanding senator and public servant."

Republicans are also scrambling to take advantage of a vacating seat, though many are highly doubtful that they could sink a win in one of the most liberal U.S. states.

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Two names that leap to mind are the current House Majority Leader, Representative Kevin McCarthy, and former Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, who served from 2007 to 2011.

So far, no Republican with serious chances of winning a Senate seat has come out to officially say that they will run, but it is a safe bet that conservatives and moderates will be eager to steal a Senate seat from the Democrats.

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