California Senate candidate Steve Garvey, a former MLB All-Star, has emerged as a frontrunner in the state’s U.S. Senate primary, surpassing U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff by a narrow margin of 4,801 votes. Despite facing significant opposition and being outspent in one of California’s most expensive primary elections, Garvey’s message of unity, common sense, and compassion has resonated with voters across the state. Garvey expressed his gratitude for the trust and support shown in the preliminary results, emphasizing that his campaign remains competitive and determined to finish in first place.
The surge in Garvey’s popularity has caught Democrats off guard, with many describing their reaction as “massively surprised” and labeling the party as “arrogant.” Garvey’s trajectory positions him to potentially face Schiff, a leading Democrat in the U.S. House, in the November Senate election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. California places all candidates on the same primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and the two candidates with the most votes move on to the general election.
Garvey, a Republican candidate, aims to prioritize the well-being of veterans who have served the country. He stresses the importance of not dismissing these individuals once they leave the service or attempt to reintegrate into society. With a focus on bringing Californians from all walks of life together to address shared challenges, Garvey’s campaign seeks to revive the “heartbeat” of California for the benefit of all its citizens.
Notably, if Garvey secures victory in the general election, he would become the first Republican to represent California in the U.S. Senate since Pete Wilson in 1988. Wilson, who won re-election over Leo T. McCarthy, later stepped down to become the governor of California, appointing John Seymour as his replacement. Seymour was defeated by Feinstein in the 1992 election, and she held the seat until her passing in September. Laphonza Butler was then appointed to complete the remainder of Feinstein’s term.
Garvey’s campaign aims to bring about a California comeback by listening, learning, and leading with compassion, while also fostering consensus on the real issues that matter to local communities. As the race continues, the final outcome will depend on the counting of all mail-in ballots, including those postmarked by the deadline.
