Despite her large overall number of endorsements, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) only got involved in one of the state's competitive House primaries. | Mark Wilson/Getty Images Kamala Harris romps across California ballot The freshman senator’s deepening relationships within the state could prove significant in 2020.

LOS ANGELES — California Sen. Kamala Harris wasn’t on the ballot this week in her home state, but she still notched a significant set of victories.

Of 27 candidates Harris endorsed in Tuesday primary, 20 finished first or were leading in returns as of Friday, while another four finished second and will advance to the November general election.


Just three Democrats backed by Harris lost or were heading to likely defeats, with elections officials still counting provisional and mail-in ballots.

Her heavy hand in California’s primary — involving Democrats at all levels here — reflects the freshman senator’s concerted emphasis on home-state maintenance, even as she travels throughout the country raising money for Democrats in higher-profile contests and expands her still-budding political network ahead of a potential presidential campaign.

Her deepening relationships within the state could prove significant in 2020, with California preparing to host a presidential primary just after Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

The California endorsements involved varying levels of support, from appearing in TV ads to fundraising and robo-calls.

While many of her endorsements were predictable — including of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who finished first in California’s gubernatorial primary and is widely expected to be elected governor in November — Harris backed some candidates who weren’t clear front-runners or obvious choices. Some ranged far down-ticket, including four judicial candidates in San Francisco, several district attorney candidates and two contenders for state Board of Equalization.

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Harris, who was elected to the Senate in 2016, is still building name recognition in California, where her stratospheric rise in national politics has been met with a measure of surprise. But she is popular with the Democratic base, and in one indication of her appeal to Democrats, Harris’ endorsement here was highly sought after throughout the state.

In California’s unusual, top-two primary, the top two finishers advance to a November election regardless of party affiliation, and Harris-endorsed candidates could still falter in the general election.

Despite her large overall number of endorsements, Harris backed a Democrat in only one House contest, largely avoiding the state’s crowded, often bitter congressional primaries. In the House race in which she endorsed, Harris taped an advertisement, raised money and appeared in four mailers for Katie Porter, who emerged atop a field of Democrats on Tuesday and will challenge Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in November.

Porter, a law professor and former student of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), had a longstanding relationship with Harris, who as state attorney general appointed Porter in 2012 to be California’s independent monitor of banks in the national mortgage settlement.

Harris spokesman Tyrone Gayle demurred when asked about the senator's interest in expanding her political network ahead of a potential 2020 campaign.

“Senator Harris is committed to supporting candidates who have proven track records of getting things done, offer bold leadership, and will fight for California values,” he said in an email. “She believes these are the types of leaders who will help ensure that future generations of Californians inherit a nation that is more prosperous and inclusive.”

Outside of California, Harris has raised more than $3 million for fellow Democratic senators this election cycle, according to her staff. She is scheduled to make a day-long set of appearances with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) on Saturday, including a rally in Milwaukee.