Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — Congressman Adam Schiff in second senate debate Feb. 12, 2024.
The California senate race in the March 5 primary is a true nail-biter. US Representative Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) topped the polls for much of the campaign. However, Schiff is now trailing MLB star and first-time political candidate Steve Garvey in the latest UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies /Los Angeles Times poll.
Garvey has a slight lead in that survey, with 27% of support from likely voters to Schiff’s 25%, Irvine Congressmember Katie Porter’s 19%, and Oakland Congressmember Barbara Lee’s 8%. Still, 12% of likely voters picked a different candidate, and 9% said they were undecided.
Garvey’s front-runner status is quite an achievement. He announced his candidacy only last fall and began polling in single digits.
Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — Former MLB star Steve Garvey in second CA senate race debate Feb. 12, 2024.
Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — 2nd CA senate race debate Feb. 12, 2024
Garvey’s performance in the three senate race debates was lackluster at best. The ex-Dodger first baseman made it clear he was not a politician. In fact, Garvey had very few specifics on issues and policies. What he does have is name recognition and party affiliation. Garvey is a conservative Republican. And that has worked for him with an unlikely assist from opponent Schiff.
Apparently, Schiff would prefer to face Garvey in a possible run-off rather than fiery consumer warrior and fellow Democrat US Representative Porter. While Schiff and Porter have spent millions of dollars on campaign ads, Garvey hasn’t bought any. Yet, he is the focal point of some ads by Schiff and his allies, which claim “Garvey is too conservative” for California.
Political experts say Schiff would have an easier time beating Garvey in November than Porter. Also, there are almost twice as many registered Democrats in the state as there are Republicans. So Schiff’s strategy to bump Porter down to third place may have paid off, but it smacks of dirty politics.
Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — Congressmember Katie Porter in 3rd CA senate race debate Feb. 20, 2024.
Meanwhile, Porter has had other struggles. Recently a PAC (Fairshake) supported by cryptocurrency billionaires began running misleading television ads attacking Porter. Low on cash, she had to scramble to raise more money. Once she did, Porter launched TV ads defending her record and slamming the cryptocurrency-funded ads.
Meanwhile, US Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) has run a relentless and steady campaign, which has not caught on with enough voters for her to challenge the top contenders. However, she has won numerous endorsements and campaigned up and down the state. Lee has gained the kind of support that should serve her well in future political campaigns.
