The U.S. Senate race in California is heating up as Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff faces increasing competition.
Republican Steve Garvey significantly out-raised Schiff in the second quarter, collecting $5.44 million compared to Schiff’s $4.2 million. Garvey’s campaign, buoyed by contributions from over 67,000 donors, reported an average donation of $81. This fundraising boost has intensified the race, pressuring Schiff, a 11-term congressman and ally of Nancy Pelosi, to differentiate himself in a tightening contest.
?BREAKING: STEVE GARVEY OUTRAISES ADAM SCHIFF?
U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey outraised U.S. Senate candidate Adam Schiff by $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2024.
Garvey raised $5.44 million to Schiff’s $4.2 million from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, according to…
— Steve Garvey (@SteveyGarvey6) July 16, 2024
“Californians are tired of the status quo, they are tired of the division, they are tired of Washington D.C. not working together, they (are) tired of Adam Schiff representing his party bosses rather than them, and now they are speaking up with their checkbooks,” Garvey said in a statement to Cal Matters. Schiff, 64, is a staunch supporter of Israel within the Democratic Party and has disclosed receiving $67,000 from AIPAC, which actively backed efforts to defeat Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) in his June primary.
The shift is noteworthy because up until now, Schiff had been leading the fundraising race. Between Feb. 15 and March 31, Schiff spent $12.5 million, which is five times more than what Garvey, a former L.A. Dodgers first baseman, raised during the first quarter. In total, Schiff has raised $39 million compared to Garvey’s $12 million.
In California, where a Senate seat is often presumed safe for Democrats, Congressman Adam Schiff is taking nothing for granted. Following a quarter where he was out-fundraised by Republican Steve Garvey, Schiff opted not to publicly comment on his fundraising shortfall. Instead, he issued a fundraising email to his supporters, urging them to ensure Garvey does not outraise him again. Labeling Garvey’s fundraising lead and the GOP’s substantial spending as “the outcome we feared,” Schiff is rallying his base to close the financial gap.
Garvey, 75, is navigating a challenging political landscape in California, a state President Joe Biden won by nearly 30 points in the previous election. Garvey has urged the embattled incumbent to step down and chose to skip the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, opting instead to continue his campaign efforts throughout the summer.
In a recent interview, Garvey critiqued Biden as someone “who is 81 years of age and has difficulty focusing.” He also confirmed his support for former President Donald Trump, noting that he voted for Trump in the state’s March Republican primary and intends to do so again in the upcoming November election.