LOS ANGELES — Steve Garvey, a former baseball player with a Republican background, is striving to garner support from the Latino community as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat in California, contesting against Democrat Adam Schiff. This seat was previously held by the late Dianne Feinstein. Garvey’s campaign is seen as an underdog effort, especially in a political landscape where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one in California and where the GOP has not secured a Senate win in the state since 1988.
Voting has already commenced, with mail-in ballots distributed to California’s 22 million voters by October 7. Schiff, at 64, is exhibiting confidence in his campaign, recently traveling to key states like Pennsylvania and Ohio to support fellow Democratic Senate candidates. As California is viewed as a stronghold for Democrats, Schiff is also focused on fundraising for national Democratic efforts while preparing for upcoming elections in closely contested battleground states.
Though the race hasn’t garnered national attention nor dramatic twists, it signifies a pivotal moment in California’s political history, which has been significantly influenced by Feinstein and other seasoned Democratic leaders. Notably, for the first time in over thirty years, California will not have a woman occupying a Senate seat.
Garvey revealed last week plans to invest $5 million into campaign advertising that targets the Latino demographic, including a statewide Spanish-language television ad. The ad aims to address pressing issues that resonate with voters, such as rampant inflation, high gas prices, crime rates, and the state’s elevated tax burdens.
However, it remains uncertain how impactful Garvey’s efforts will be in altering the dynamics of a race where Schiff maintains a lead in polls and fundraising. The last Republican to win a statewide race in California was in 2006, highlighting the significant challenges faced by GOP candidates in the state.
The political contest reflects a broader national struggle within Congress. Schiff has expressed concerns regarding potential GOP threats to abortion rights, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that diminished women’s constitutional protections. He consistently portrays former President Donald Trump as a menace to democracy.
Garvey, a former National League MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, critiqued Schiff and Democratic leadership over rising prices for groceries and housing, as well as the ongoing homelessness crisis in a state experiencing a decline in population.
During a recent debate, which was likely to receive little attention, Schiff characterized Garvey as a follower of Trump encased in a baseball persona, while Garvey accused Schiff of fixating on partisan politics in Washington rather than addressing critical issues affecting Californians. One of Schiff’s advertisements references the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, stating, “When our democracy was in danger, he stood up.”
Political expert Jack Pitney from Claremont McKenna College noted that Democrats are expected to benefit from increased voter turnout typical of a presidential election year, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the helm of the party’s ticket. He also indicated that Republicans in California have faced challenges in fielding strong candidates for prominent offices, noting that voters in recent past elections had only Democratic options for the Senate seat. Although Garvey may be a familiar name among older baseball fans, he may not resonate with younger voters.
Given California’s political leaning, Pitney humorously remarked on Garvey’s slim chances for an unexpected victory on Election Day, stating, “are about equal to my chances of becoming Pope.” Following the passing of Democrat Feinstein, who held her Senate position since 1992 until her death at 90 years old in September 2023, Laphonza Butler was appointed to fill the vacancy but opted not to run for a full term this year.
