By Kyle Trygstad

Republican voters in California left no doubt who they prefer to take on three-term Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in the general election -- Carly Fiorina. The former Hewlett Packard chief executive won a crowded primary with 56 percent of the vote, with her next closest challenger, former congressman Tom Campbell, taking just 22 percent.

"For 28 long years in Washington, Barbara Boxer has led our state and our nation down a path toward higher taxes, greater regulation and less economic growth," Fiorina said last night. "But this year, we have a unique opportunity to defeat her so that we can take our government in a different direction."

Without major primary opposition, Boxer was able to stuff her coffers with cash, including two visits from President Obama. Her campaign was simply waiting for the long, testy GOP primary to conclude so it could set its sights on one person. Now it's "game on," as Boxer campaign manager Rose Kapolczynski said last night.

"Starting tonight, the Boxer campaign will begin a new effort to reach out to voters about what is at stake in this election and the record, positions and priorities of Carly Fiorina and Barbara Boxer," Kapolczynski said in a memo to reporters. "Tonight we also have invited Fiorina to join us in publicly debating the many important issues facing California and our nation. We are ready to start meeting immediately to discuss mutually acceptable arrangements."

The Boxer campaign is also ready to get out in front of any negative attacks thrown their way by Fiorina, and surely to send some back her way. The Boxer campaign has installed a fact-checking section on its web site and a place where voters can learn all about Fiorina's positions.

"Our supporters are energized and organized, and we are all looking forward to a vigorous campaign on the road to victory in November," said Kapolczynski.

The national parties also immediately weighed in on the race. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez noted that Fiorina "nearly drove Hewlett-Packard into the ground, laying-off 32,000 workers and outsourcing many jobs, but still collected a $42 million golden parachute." His Republican counterpart, John Cornyn, said in her nearly three decades in Washington, Boxer "has championed reckless spending in Washington."

The latest poll, conducted two weeks ago by the L.A. Times and U.S.C., found Boxer leading 44-38 percent. RCP currently rates this race Lean Democrat.