LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey secured a U.S. Senate showdown with Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff on a shoestring budget and with a wispy campaign schedule, but he now faces a daunting question: What’s next?
Garvey, a perennial All-Star who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, expressed optimism about the campaign to come for the seat once occupied by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Still, heavily Democratic California hasn’t elected a GOP Senate candidate since 1988, a year after Garvey retired from baseball. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state by a 2-to-1 margin, and Democrats hold every statewide office and dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation.
“They say in the general election that we’re going to strike out,” Garvey, a first-time candidate, said of his doubters. “Know this: It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
It’s a rare opportunity for the GOP to compete in a marquee statewide race in this Democratic stronghold.
Garvey was able to consolidate the Republican vote and sidestep two established Democratic House members, Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, to gain one of two slots on the November ballot with Schiff. His first job will be raising money to operate in a state with some of the nation’s most expensive media markets, but he’s likely to find it a tough sell with donors inclined to spend their money in more competitive states, with control of the House and Senate on the line.
Garvey celebrated with cheering supporters at a hotel in Palm Desert, his hometown, where he warned Schiff not to underestimate him despite the state’s Democratic tilt. He said he would run a campaign that would appeal across party lines, focusing on inflation, the state’s unchecked homeless crisis and rising crime rates in cities.
California puts all candidates, regardless of party, on the same primary ballot and the two who get the most votes advance to the general election. The GOP has failed to advance a candidate to the general election in two of California’s last three U.S. Senate races.
And Garvey will be on the ballot with a GOP presidential ticket likely headed by former President Donald Trump, who is widely unpopular in California outside his loyal base. The last time a Republican won a statewide race of any kind in California was 2006.
The matchup also means that California won’t have a woman in the Senate for the first time in more than three decades.
Schiff enters the race a strong favorite, but he has challenges of his own. His victory party was marred by raucous protesters who shouted “Free Palestine” and “Cease-fire now,” forcing the congressman to attempt to speak over them as they continued bellowing. Schiff took several pauses, and he appeared to hurry his remarks.
Schiff, who has been outspoken in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, shifted Tuesday and endorsed the Biden administration’s call for a Gaza cease-fire as part of a broader agreement that would include the release of hostages. “My position is the same as the administration,” Schiff said. The chaotic scene was a reminder that even in a strongly Democratic state, he will have to carefully navigate the continuing Israel-Hamas war.
He also faces the task of mending relations with supporters of Porter and Lee, two well-known progressives.
The campaign nonetheless represents a new era in California politics, which was long dominated by Feinstein and a handful of other veteran politicians.
Garvey and Schiff also advanced to the November ballot in the race to fill the remainder of Feinstein’s term, following the general election. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a longtime Democratic organizer, to serve out Feinstein’s term, and Butler chose not to seek election to the seat. The winner of the November election would serve a truncated term through early January, when the full, six-year term would begin.
The race is California’s first open U.S. Senate contest since 2016. Even before Feinstein announced in early 2023 she would not seek reelection, many of the state’s ambitious Democrats were eagerly awaiting their shot at the coveted seat.
Garvey’s candidacy, buoyed by name recognition among older voters in particular, threw an unexpected twist into the race. The dynamic between Schiff and Porter grew increasingly tense in the campaign’s closing weeks as both vied for a general election spot.
Garvey notched his spot on the fall ballot by positioning himself as an outsider running against entrenched Washington insiders.
He owes a debt of thanks to Schiff and supportive super political action committees, which ran millions of dollars in advertising spotlighting Garvey’s conservative credentials, which indirectly boosted his visibility among Republican and right-leaning voters.
Garvey is hoping to follow a pathway cut by other famous athletes-turned-politicians that includes former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a one-time bodybuilder and actor who became the last Republican to hold the state’s top job; Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, a former NFL player; and former professional basketball great Bill Bradley, who became a long-serving U.S. senator in New Jersey.
He calls himself a “conservative moderate” and argues he should not be buttonholed into conventional labels, such as Trump’s Make America Great Again political movement.
Garvey has twice voted for Trump, who lost California in landslides but remains popular among GOP voters, but he has said he hasn’t made up his mind about this year’s presidential contest. He personally opposes abortion rights but does not support a nationwide abortion ban and will “always uphold the voice of the people,” alluding to the state’s longstanding tilt in favor of abortion rights.
He also had to overcome the resurfacing of tawdry details about his private life, including having two children with women he wasn’t married to, that had undercut the clean-cut public persona he cultivated in his Dodger days.
Los Angeles voters approve Measure HLA
Voters in Los Angeles have elected to approve Measure HLA, a highly debated initiative that would require the city to make roads and walkways safer from deadly car crashes.
Measure HLA, also known as Healthy Streets L.A., will implement Mobility Plan 2035, which calls for additional safety measures on city streets like widening sidewalks, installing protected bike lanes and adding road elements to prevent speeding.
The measure passed by a margin of 63 percent to 37 percent.
Haley to suspend presidential campaign
Nikki Haley will suspend her presidential campaign Wednesday after being soundly defeated across the country on Super Tuesday, according to people familiar with her decision, leaving Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination.
GARVEY ADVANCES
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey, center right, hugs his wife Candace standing next to his sons Ryan, left, and Sean during his election night party, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
PROTESTERS INTERRUPT SCHIFF
Here is a recap of the disruption at Rep. Adam Schiff’s victory rally.
SCHIFF INTERRUPTED
Here is video of the incident involving Israel war protesters during Rep. Adam Schiff’s victory speech Tuesday night.
PROTESTERS DISRUPT SCHIFF
Gaza protesters have disrupted Rep. Adam Schiff’s speech to supporters after he secured a spot in the general election.
PORTER CALLS OUT SCHIFF AFTER PRIMARY LOSS
Democratic Rep. Katie Porter thanked supporters after losing out in California’s primary for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
“The most important thing I want to say tonight is thank you,” she said. “Because of you, we have the establishment running scared.”
The congressperson representing parts of Orange County singled out frontrunner Adam Schiff, who will face Steve Garvey in November’s general election.
“[We faced] an onslaught of billionaires who spent millions peddling lies, and our opponent spending more to boost the republican than promoting his own campaign,” she said.
GARVEY: “WELCOME TO THE CALIFORNIA COMEBACK”
Republican Steve Garvey spoke to his supporters Tuesday night after advancing to November’s U.S. Senate election in California, welcoming to the “California comeback” while making a baseball reference.
“What you’re all feeling tonight is what it’s like to hit a walk-off home run.”
GARVEY ADVANCES TO FACE SCHIFF IN U.S. SENATE GENERAL ELECTION
Republican and former Los Angeles Dodgers player Steve Garvey will advance to the November ballot for one of California’s U.S. Senate seats. The Associated Press called the race with 39% of the votes counted.
L.A. COUNTY DA RACE: GASCON LEADS WITH 22.9%
The incumbent in the heated race to be the next Los Angeles County District Attorney has maintained an early lead, though a runoff appears likely as of Friday night.
George Gascon, who has been DA since 2020, held 22.9% of the vote as of 8:44 p.m., according to the Associated Press. Just 37% of votes had been counted as of that time.
In second was Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor who has staged an aggressive advertising campaign against Gascon. He held 18.1% of the vote.
If Gascon can’t rise past 50%, a November runoff election will take place between the top-two vote-getters.
RAZOR-THIN MARGINS FOR PROP. 1 VOTE
Proposition 1, which would vastly reform how California handles homelessness and mental health care, is facing thin margins in California as of 8:46 p.m.
With 18% of votes counted, the Associated Press reported that “Yes” had 51.4% of votes while 48.6% of voters casted for “No.” The total margin was at less than 40,000 total votes.
AP: SCHIFF ADVANCES TO GENERAL ELECTION
Adam Schiff will advance to November’s general election for a U.S. Senate seat in California, according to the Associated Press. He received 38% of the vote with 30% reporting, the AP said.
Steve Garvey was in second, leading Katie Porter by 13% according to the AP. The top two vote-getters advance to the general, regardless of party affiliation.
SCHIFF LEADS, GARVEY 2ND
With 14% of precincts reporting, Adam Schiff leads Steve Garvey by 70,000 votes. Katie Porter is a distant 3rd. Live results: https://digital-staging.ktla.com/news/california/election-2024/california-primary-election-results/
AP CALLS CALIFORNIA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES FOR BIDEN, TRUMP
The Associated Press has called both the Democratic and Republican primary elections in California just minutes after polls closed.
President Joe Biden won the Democratic race in California as of 8:12 p.m., the AP said. Just one minute later, it called the Republican primary for former President Donald Trump.
GARVEY SPEAKS AS POLLS CLOSE
Steve Garvey, Republican candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in California, expressed confidence in his chances to advance out of the primary while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
“We feel good about where we are right now,” he said. “I’ll say tonight’s the first game of a doubleheader. The second game’s going to be daunting. It’ll be almost like a Super Bowl.”
POLLS CLOSE
The polls are now closed in California. Election results are expected shortly.
POLLS CLOSE AT 8PM
Follow live results for all major California races, the State Legislature, U.S. House, Los Angeles city & county elections, and select races in Orange County.
NIKKI HALEY WINS VERMONT
The Associated Press has called Vermont’s Republican presidential primary for Nikki Haley, notching her first win on Super Tuesday. She previously won the District of Columbia’s primary.
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump has won Texas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, the AP said.
VILLANUEVA VS. HAHN
Former L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva is challenging Janice Hahn for District 4 on the Board of Supervisors. Villanueva: “The grifters that are coming here to take advantage of our lax policies and lack of enforcement – tell them their days are over and they need to go back home wherever they came from.”
RACE CALLS EXPLAINED
The Associated Press was able to declare former President Donald Trump the winner in a string of Republican presidential primaries as initial vote results revealed no path for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to overtake him. AP called races across several states shortly after polls closed on Tuesday. In some places, Trump was leading Haley by margins of three- or four-to-one.
L.A. COUNTY COULD SEE LOW TURNOUT
With less than 2 hours until the polls close, 450 ballot boxes are set up around Los Angeles County as officials attempt to raise voter turnout. Preliminary information suggests that the county could see a record low in turnout for Tuesday’s primary. Details: https://digital-staging.ktla.com/video/record-low-voter-turnout-expected-in-los-angeles-county/9490658/
TEAM COVERAGE
KTLA’s Shelby Nelson is covering Steve Garvey’s watch party in Palm Desert. Chip Yost is with Rep. Katie Porter in Long Beach, and reporter John Fenoglio is covering Rep. Adam Schiff’s watch party in Hollywood.
TRUMP PICKS UP TX, CO
The Associated Press has called the Republican primary elections in Texas and Colorado, two of the most valuable states on Super Tuesday, in favor of former President Donald Trump.
Trump also picked up wins in Maine, Massachusetts, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
RACES CALLED FOR BIDEN
The Associated Press was able to declare President Joe Biden the winner of Democratic presidential contests in several states on Tuesday minutes after polls closed: Virginia, Vermont, North Carolina and Iowa.
L.A. SHERIFF’S CHOPPER TO DELIVER ELECTION BALLOTS
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is taking a proactive approach to democracy as it made test runs this afternoon for ballot delivery to the county registrar-recorder/county clerk. “Tonight it’s all action at the new Ballot Processing Center. Secure, swift, and spectacular!” the county clerk’s office posted to X, formerly Twitter.
PROPOSITION 1
Californians are set to vote Tuesday on a statewide ballot measure that is touted by the governor as a major step to tackle homelessness and would be the first major update to the state’s mental health system in 20 years. (AP Photo)
KTLA PRIMARY COVERAGE
KTLA 5 News will have non-stop live election coverage and other local news from now until 11:35 p.m.
L.A. DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S RACE
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon faces a crowded field of challengers in his bid for re-election.
SENATE CANDIDATES VOTE
Rep. Barbara Lee voted in Oakland on Monday.
SENATE CANDIDATES VOTE
Rep. Adam Schiff voted at a polling center in Burbank. (AP Photo)
