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.
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After the president recently announced his endorsement of Harris, Sanchez responded on Univision in Spanish, "She's African-American. He is, too."
MORE: Loretta Sanchez discusses Senate election on Newsmakers
"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."
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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.