The LA Times provided some interesting history. Kamala was running against Steve Cooley, the moderate Republican district attorney of Los Angeles County.

Cooley (who always led in the polls and even claimed victory before the counting finished) was endorsed by the LA times, and their endorsement had this to say about Harris:

Cooley was endorsed by the LA times, and their endorsement has this to say about Harris:

“On these issues, Harris is right where Cooley is wrong. She supports the healthcare law and same-sex marriage. She opposes the death penalty, though she would enforce and defend it as attorney general. Moreover, Harris is a smart, dynamic and forward-thinking leader whose bright future we happily anticipate. She sees a potential for the attorney general’s office that is bigger and more comprehensive than the office that exists today, one that addresses issues such as truancy and criminal recidivism, that attacks crime at a causal level, not just a reactive one. She is a thinker, and a good one.”

Has a candidate who did not get the endorsement every gotten such lavish praise?

Interesting details of how Harris won by one of the narrowest statewide victories in modern California history — by less than 0.85 percent of the vote: