Despite a campaign that got off to a somewhat rocky start, 2010 Senatorial Candidate Carly Fiorina has managed to stir up support from California voters by focusing on the economy.

Since February when Rasmussen Reports gave Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer a marginal 4 percent lead in the poles over then Republican primary frontrunner Fiorina, Boxer’s 17 year tenure is currently in jeopardy. A recent Field Poll’s results indicated that her lead has shrunk to 3 percent.

As the economic conditions in California remain stagnate and unemployment rates hover well above the na

tional index, it is probable that Boxer’s

seat on Capitol Hill will stay hot along with the sweltering Washington D.C. weather.

Nonetheless, Fiorina has not found it particularly easy to cash in on the opportunity before her. In her first venture into politics during the 2008 Presidential election when she served as John McCain’s chief economic advisor, Fiorina was forced to backtrack after stating that Sarah Palin lacked the qualifications to run a major corporation, but was fit to serve as Vice President. Recently, Fiorina had to explain the large gaps in her voting record, citing disillusionment over past candidates and conceding, “shame on me.”

The most memorable moment of the election so far in the hotly contest race took place in June when Fiorina was caught on camera mentioning that one of her friends, in reference to rival Barbara Boxer, “said what everyone says, ‘God, what is that hair?’”

Bad hair days aside, this campaign does come down to key issues

Fiorina is using her recent endorsement by the United States Chamber of Commerce to boost her economic credentials, which are highlighted by stints as CEO of Hewlett Packard and as a

Vice President of AT&T.

Boxer’s campaign is emphasizing her substantial experience, and long career in Congress.

Voters will eventually get to decide which of the two candidates, armed as they are with significantly divergent power resumes, they prefer the most.

With the endorsement of The National Right To Life Committee and The California Pro Life Council, Fiorina opposes “a woman’s right to choose,” except in cases of rape.

In contrast, Senator Boxer’s voting record is staunchly “pro-choice.”

Unlike Republican Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, Fiorina supports the controversial Arizona law SB1070, and touts undocumented immigration as one of her major points of disagreement with Boxer. Moreover, her position on undocumented emigrants may be the primary reason why she is not particularly popular with Latino voters.

In any event, Fiorina is apparently hoping independent voters will not focus on polarizing issues such as these, and agree instead with her effort to make the point that California’s economic failings are Senator Boxer’s failings.

On the other hand, Boxer is doing everything she can to draw attention to the work she has done over the years to create jobs here in California via her support for big works projects like the federally subsidized High Speed Rail system. Boxer’s campaign manger Rose Kapolczynski also contends that Fiorina, “laid off California workers, shipped jobs overseas, and took huge perks,” when she was C.E.O. of Hewlett-Packard.

Given that the race is currently too close to call, it will probably continue to be a riveting affair right up to election night.