By In a stunning turn of events in California’s Senate race for Dianne Feinstein’s seat, Republican Steve Garvey has risen to challenge Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biting primary.
According to the latest poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Garvey, capitalizing on a surge of conservative support, now stands in a ‘statistical tie’ with Schiff, leaving Rep. Katie Porter trailing behind.
This final primary poll puts Garvey at an impressive 27 percent among likely voters, just behind Schiff’s 25 percent. Porter, who has taken issue with Schiff’s strategic millions spent on Fox News ads to bolster Garvey, lags at 19 percent. This shift in dynamics indicates a significant consolidation of Republican and conservative voters behind Garvey, catapulting him into a leading position.
Mark DiCamillo, the poll director, attributes the substantial increase in Garvey’s support to his successful appeal to the GOP base over the last six weeks. Meanwhile, Schiff, amassing a sizeable campaign fund, has focused on positioning Garvey as a threat to Democratic dominance in Congress, potentially boosting his appeal to right-leaning voters.
This race is now marked as the most expensive in California’s history, with Schiff alone spending and benefiting from nearly $45 million in ads, a move that seems to have inadvertently aided Garvey’s campaign.
In a potential head-to-head matchup, Schiff might start with an advantage over Garvey, leading 53 percent to 38 percent. However, a contest between Schiff and Porter would be a tight race from the outset.
Garvey, a former baseball star turned politician, is running on a platform of ‘common sense, compassion, and consensus.’ Despite being significantly outspent by his Democratic rivals and California’s history of not electing a Republican to statewide office since 2006, Garvey is banking on his long-standing popularity and name recognition to carry him through.
“Garvey’s enduring connection with Californians goes beyond politics. His appeal, rooted in a half-century bond with the state, positions him as a powerful contender in both the primary and general elections,” stated campaign spokesperson Matt Shupe.
Garvey’s surge is particularly notable given the projected low turnout for the primary, which tends to favor Republican candidates. The primary electorate is expected to comprise older voters, homeowners, and a significant portion of white voters, with nearly a third identifying as Republican.
A key aspect of Garvey’s campaign is his stance on immigration, a critical issue for many conservative voters in the state. An overwhelming majority of his supporters consider his approach to immigration crucial, reflecting the growing concern among conservatives over the nation’s border policies.
The poll, conducted online in English and Spanish, reflects the opinions of Californians who have already voted or are likely to vote in the upcoming primary. Early voting results show Schiff leading among those who have already cast their ballots, but with Garvey closely trailing and Porter behind them.
This race is a clear indicator of the shifting political landscape in California, where a Republican resurgence, led by figures like Garvey, is challenging the longstanding Democratic stronghold. As the primary approaches, all eyes are on this unexpected and competitive battle, a testament to the growing strength and appeal of the conservative movement in the Golden State.
