In a surprising turn in California’s Senate race, former MLB All-Star Steve Garvey is currently leading over Rep. Adam Schiff, according to a recent Los Angeles Times/Berkeley IGS poll. Garvey, running as a Republican, has garnered 27% support, slightly edging out Schiff’s 25%.
The race, which is to fill the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is proving to be highly competitive, with Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee also in the mix, securing 19% and 8% of the support, respectively.
The poll indicates a tight race, with a margin of error of 2 percentage points, making the primary contest between Schiff and Garvey particularly close.
The top two candidates from the March 5 primary will move on to the November runoff, a critical step in determining who will occupy the Senate seat. This election includes votes for both a partial and a full term in the Senate, with Garvey leading the partial-term race by a margin of 6 points over Schiff.
Garvey expressed his gratitude for the support, stating, “I am deeply humbled by the trust and support shown by Californians in this latest poll.” He emphasized his focus on addressing Californians’ concerns with “compassionate, common-sense solutions” over “tired political bickering.”
His campaign spokesman highlighted Garvey’s long-standing connection with Californians, suggesting it transcends political lines and will be a significant factor in the elections.
This recent surge in support for Garvey is attributed to a consolidation of Republican and conservative voters behind him, as noted by the pollsters. The low turnout anticipated for the primary race could also play to Garvey’s advantage, especially among Republican voters, older demographics, whites, and homeowners.
The poll, conducted between February 22-27, surveyed 6,536 registered voters in California, reflecting the evolving political landscape and voter preferences leading up to the primary.