Democrats, take note: Former baseball player Steve Garvey is causing a stir in the California Senate campaign. Garvey has declared his candidacy to succeed the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is facing a three-way primary contest. Politicians who are on edge, like Adam Schiff, are suddenly up against an unexpected rival. In this competitive race, who will win?
The intentions of Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA), a contentious nomination by Gov. Gavin Newsom, to a second term are uncertain. Butler appears to have moved to California particularly for this position, although it is yet unknown if they would run again when Feinstein’s tenure is over.
In a press release, Garvey stated:
“In baseball, it’s not about the individual; it’s about the team,” suggesting that if elected he would seek to align with GOP leadership. “I believe the same holds true for politics. It’s time we come together, find common ground, and work towards a brighter future.”
California, according to Garvey, used to be the “heartbeat of America,” but it is now “just a murmur.”
“I never played for Democrats or Republicans or independents,” According to the Major League MVP’s video release. “I played for all of you.”
WATCH:
Garvey disclosed to Elex Michaelson during an interview with OANN
“There’s been a malaise with the people of California. They’ve just given up that they’ve heard one voice and they don’t feel like they have a voice, so they wish somebody would stand up and fight for them, and nobody has,” he said. “And so I think it’s time for somebody to stand up, and that’s me.”
Michaelson noted that Garvey never once refers to himself as a “Republican” in his introduction video. He explained to The Issue Is host: “There is an R next to my name & I shop at Brooks Brothers…but it’s a Steve Garvey campaign!”
In a September survey co-sponsored by The LA Times and conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Garvey and Republican businessman James Bradley are tied at 7%. Garvey now has the upper hand against incumbent contender Eric Early.
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Could the GOP’s chances be harmed by the crowded ballot in California’s open-primary system? The famous Times-Berkeley poll’s director, Mark DiCamillo, speculates that such may be the case.
“The more Republicans there are [in the race], the lower their chances are of getting somebody in the top two, just because they divide each other’s support up,” He spoke to the Times.
“You can change that with a lot of campaigning, but they don’t appear to be that competitive right now for the top two positions,” he added.
Despite the skepticism of the LA Times’ expert, Senator Feinstein’s tight 9-point victory in 2018 compared to her prior impressive 25-point triumph raises concerns. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, recent polling results for Schiff and Porter, at 20% and 15%, respectively, point to possible cracks in the Democratic party.
Schiff has already singled out Garvey in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “I have a new Republican opponent – Steve Garvey. Before he was a multi-millionaire Republican celebrity, he was a first baseman. Based on his announcement, it sounds like he’s ready to take up the fight for everyone born on third base — thinking they hit a triple. Go figure.”
Schiff’s prompt response to Garvey may suggest that, rather than weakening him, he considers the well-liked Republican to be a possible danger.
