Republican Steve Garvey has secured a spot in the November election to compete for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Dianne Feinstein in California. This presents a rare opportunity for the GOP to participate in a high-profile statewide race within this Democratic stronghold.
The former baseball MVP, known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, will go head-to-head with Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff.
California includes all candidates, regardless of their party, on the same primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. Given the Democratic dominance in the state, Republicans often find themselves excluded from significant statewide races. In fact, the GOP has struggled to have a candidate make it to the general election in two out of the last three U.S. Senate races in California.
Despite the outlook, Democrats are still projected to retain the Senate seat come November, ensuring the party’s defense of a narrow majority. It’s been over three decades since a Republican emerged victorious in a Senate race in California.
The campaign represents a shift in California’s political landscape, previously dominated by Feinstein and a select group of seasoned politicians.
This race marks California’s first open U.S. Senate competition since 2016. Even before Feinstein’s 2023 announcement of not seeking re-election, numerous ambitious Democrats in the state were eagerly eyeing the coveted seat.
Garvey, a first-time candidate with significant name recognition, particularly among older voters, added an unexpected turn to the race. The rivalry between Schiff and U.S. Rep. Katie Porter intensified as they competed for a position in the general election.
Positioning himself as an outsider against entrenched Washington insiders, Garvey clinched a spot on the fall ballot. He drew attention to issues like rising grocery and gas prices, unaffordable housing costs, and the unmanageable homeless crisis in cities.
While entering the fall campaign as a long shot for the Senate seat, Garvey’s candidacy received support from Schiff and super PACs that highlighted his conservative credentials, boosting his visibility among Republican and right-leaning voters.
In heavily Democratic California, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1, the state Republican Party has faced significant challenges over the years, with no GOP Senate win since 1988.
Garvey aims to follow the path of other renowned athletes-turned-politicians, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Burgess Owens. Describing himself as a “conservative moderate,” he refuses to be categorized into traditional labels like the Make America Great Again movement.
Despite having voted for Trump twice, Garvey remains undecided on this year’s presidential race. He opposes abortion rights personally but does not advocate for a nationwide ban, emphasizing the importance of representing the people’s voice on such matters.
In the face of personal life details resurfacing, Garvey has had to address past challenges, including having children with women he was not married to, which contrasted with the clean-cut image he portrayed during his baseball career.
