Steve Garvey trails Democrats in fundraising for California’s Senate race
Laura J. NelsonFebruary 1, 2024
In California’s battle for a rare open seat in the U.S. Senate, former baseball player and Republican candidate Steve Garvey has raised far less money than his Democratic rivals, federal filings show.
Campaign finance reports made public Wednesday by the Federal Election Commission show that Garvey, who played first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, raised about $610,000 last year from about 4,500 donors and political action committees.
The numbers are the first glimpse of the scale of Garvey’s campaign, which launched in October
much later than his top Democratic rivals in the race.
Garvey raised less money than the “substantial funds raised over the years through the Washington DC establishment by the career politicians in this race,” campaign spokesman Matt Shupe said. But, he said, things appear to be improving: In January, Garvey’s campaign raised more than in all of 2023.
Fundraising numbers are used as a measure of a candidate’s viability for statewide office in California, home to some of the nation’s most expensive media markets.
A statewide advertising campaign is vital for any candidate hoping to win over a significant number of California’s 22 million registered voters. In the Los Angeles media market alone, airing an effective television advertising campaign can cost millions of dollars per week.
Representative Adam
b.
Schiff (D-Burbank) entered 2024 with
almost $35 million
at hand, more than all his opponents combined, the documents show. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Schiff’s campaign raised
almost $5.7 million
from individual donors and more
$136,000
of political action committees.
Schiff invested his considerable war chest and added
$371,000
to its fundraising total through interest payments
only,
show files. His campaign said 95% of contributions were less than $100, with an average donation of $32.
Campaign manager Brad Elkins said Schiff’s fundraising numbers show that Californians “recognize Adam as the champion they need in the U.S. Senate to tackle the cost of living, defend our democracy and fight for an economy that works for everyone.” “
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) closed out 2023 with
$13.2 million
at hand and up
almost $3 million
in the last quarter of the year, about half of Schiff’s total, her files show. She reported the expenses
$1.7 million
from October to December.
Schiff came into the Senate race with a big advantage: Although he and Porter are among the House’s most successful fundraisers, Porter spent $29 million last year to defend her House seat in Orange County, while Schiff was running for re-election in his Los Angeles home and Burbank district. He invested much of the money he raised and used it for his Senate campaign.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) raised
just over $1 million
in the last quarter of the year, her campaign files show. The campaign reported $1 million in contributions from individual donors
$1.5 million
of expenditure over the same period. The campaign ended the year with
approximately $816,000
at hand.
Republican attorney Eric Early reported raising more than $115,000 from individual donors from October to December. He contributed
$12,100
of his own money, and
$137,200
in personal loans, and ended 2023 with
approximately $140,000
at hand.
Christina Pascucci, a Los Angeles TV journalist running as a Democrat, reported an increase
over $375,000
from October to December, entering 2024 with
$154,000
at hand.
California’s “jungle” primary system means the two candidates who receive the most votes in the March 5 primary will advance to the November 5 general election, regardless of political party.
If the top two vote-getters are both Democrats, the race through November will likely be competitive and expensive. That’s less likely to be the case if a Republican finishes in the top two, because California’s progressive politics will give a strong lead to their Democratic challenger.
No Republican has won a statewide election since 2006.
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.