All the latest signs point to a tough Republican primary for Carly Fiorina, should the one-time Hewlett Packard CEO follow through with her plans to run for Barbara Boxer’s California Senate in 2010.
Orange County, Calif. Assemblyman Chuck DeVore trounced Fiorina among the GOP base in a straw poll at the state party’s semi-annual gathering at Indian Wells, Calif. over the weekend.

DeVore, who made a big showing at the California Republican Party fall convention, earned the support of 91 of attendees compared to 6 percent for Fiorina. Fiorina skipped the event to receive final treatments for breast cancer, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Fiorina has the backing of national Republicans and the personal resources to self-fund a campaign, making her the early favorite over DeVore, who dubs himself a “a common sense conservative.” But she has yet to win over the state’s Republican rank-and-file, who are far more conservative than the average California voter and who distrust Fiorina’s moderate social stances and lack of a political record.