Kamala Harris, Loretta Sanchez demand apologies from each other

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- President Barack Obama and the issue of race are at the center of the California U.S. Senate race between California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

After the president recently announced his endorsement of Harris, Sanchez responded on Univision in Spanish, "She's African-American. He is, too."

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"I think that it's at least troubling. I think those are the comments of someone who is not a leader. I think she should apologize to the president of the United States," Harris said.

Sanchez denied our requests for an interview but provided this statement: "It is Kamala Harris that should apologize to the people of California for her incompetence."

Due to changes in state law, this is the first time that two Democrats have run against each other in November in a Senate race in California.

Vice President Joe Biden and the California Democratic Party officially endorsed Harris.

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Sanchez will likely need strong support from Latinos and even Republicans if she's going to win.