(ConservativeJournal.org) – Steve Garvey, known for his time in professional baseball, will be joining the US Senate race in California. He stated he wants to become the first Republican Senator from the state since 1988.
Garvey is going for the seat that was held by the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who passed away in late September. Whether Democratic Senator Laphonza Butler, a former labor leader appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to complete Feinstein’s term, will be part of the primary is not known.
Garvey played baseball with the LA Dodgers for 15 years. In 1974 he was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. He was also part of the 1981 World Series victory and played for the San Diego Padres for 5 seasons, helping them reach the World Series in 1984.
Several Democrats, including Representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee, as well as former executive for Lexi Reese, are already contending for the seat. Additionally, Republican attorney Eric Early, who tried, but failed to run for state attorney general last year, has entered the race.
California has not elected a Republican Senator since 1988 when Pete Wilson secured a second term before being elected as governor two years later. The last Republican to represent California in the Senate was John Seymour, appointed by Wilson, who vacated the office in 1992 after losing to Feinstein in a special election.
In California’s primary system, all candidates compete together, with the two leading contenders advancing to the general election irrespective of their party. The state has predominantly leaned Democratic, and recent Senate races in 2016 and 2018 witnessed both top candidates being Democrats.
Nevertheless, Republicans have historically seen success when celebrity candidates run for statewide office. Arnold Schwarzenegger parlayed his film career and moderate platform into a tenure as governor from 2003 to 2011. However, recent Republican celebrity candidates, such as former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, who contested the 2021 recall, have had less favorable outcomes.
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