 Many California Democrats ultimately adopted Sanchez's position, paving the way for Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante to enter the race.Sanchez won against Republican nominee Rosemarie Avila and American Independent Robert Lauten.Sanchez considered running for Governor and for the United States Senate, but declined to enter the gubernatorial race after former Governor Jerry Brown declared his candidacy and deferred to incumbent Senator Barbara Boxer, who ran for re-election.