The fierce battle for California’s Senate seat is coming to a close, with Democrats trying to see if they can secure two spots in the general election.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) had long been the front-runner for the No. 1 spot, but the late-stage rise of Republican baseball great Steve Garvey shook things up.
Political elections in California are run under a “jungle primary” system in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
That means if Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman, loses by a narrow margin, Democrats will split votes and money between their own two candidates in the general election, while the liberal candidate may be downvoted in the vote.
Already, the Golden State’s Senate race is one of the most expensive races for the Senate in the 2024 cycle.
Directing more donations to reliably blue states could create complications for Democrats grappling with a brutal Senate map that leaves them having to defend 23 seats compared to 11 for Republicans. .
Schiff’s allies have refrained from vying for Democratic House leadership after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) steps down in 2022. spent a considerable amount of money The aim is to support Garvey and avoid an intra-party brawl in November.
Schiff and his allies reportedly spent at least $11 million to save Garvey. washington post — and it seems to be working fine.
Recent Los Angeles Times/University of California, Berkeley The poll showed Mr. Garvey leading with 27%, followed by Mr. Schiff with 25%, Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) with 19%, and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) with 8%.
If Mr. Garvey joins Mr. Schiff in the top two positions, the Democratic Party will likely be able to solidify the support of liberals in the general election and overwhelm Mr. Garvey as a former first baseman.
Overall, Schiff remains on top. RealClearPolitics aggregate The average was 26.5%, followed by Mr. Garvey at 20.5%, Mr. Porter at 18.3%, and Mr. Lee at 9%.
Currently, Sen. LaFonza Butler (D-Calif.) is serving as an interim appointment to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who passed away last year. Butler, a former Emily’s List president, is not running to retain his seat.
The top three Democratic parties all position themselves as aggressive progressives.
Schiff, 63, who served as the top impeachment manager at former President Donald Trump’s first trial in early 2020, has positioned himself as Trump’s chief opponent if he wins the November election. We would like to position ourselves as such. He also won the coveted support of Pelosi.
Mr. Porter, 50, a protégé of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), has already established himself as a progressive firebrand in the House of Representatives, actively motivating Wall Street executives and other business leaders. The exchanges are often talked about.
And then there’s Lee, 77, who was the only lawmaker to vote against authorizing military force after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. She is supported by Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Garvey, 75, a 10-time All-Star who helped the Dodgers defeat the Yankees in the 1981 World Series, is a first-time candidate.
Looming over the heated California Senate race, with clear front-runners on both the Republican and Democratic sides, is the risk of a decline in turnout due to a historically quiet presidential campaign on Super Tuesday.
That could improve Garvey’s chances even more.
California’s final results are not expected to be known for several days, as the Golden State allows mail-in voting until March 12.
