LOS ANGELES, CA – Former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman, Steve Garvey, has announced his Republican candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. The baseball legend’s star-studded background may offer a unique edge in a field already boasting 14 candidates.
California will cast their votes in the November general election to fill Feinstein’s seat. Following her passing on Sept. 29, Laphonza Butler, ex-labor leader and leader of Emily’s List political action committee, was selected by Governor Gavin Newsom to complete Feinstein’s term. The election’s candidate list includes three notable Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives: Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff. Butler has not yet declared intentions to run.
Garvey, having retired from baseball in 1987, shared with Reuters his aspirations to address California’s quality-of-life issues, citing his position as a common-sense candidate. Given his reputation and acclaim, Garvey might fare well in California’s unique primary system that advances the top two candidates irrespective of their party affiliations.
Reflecting on his baseball journey, Garvey emphasized his commitment to serving everyone. “I never took the field for Democrats or Republicans or independents,” he noted, “I took the field for all the fans, and now I’m running for all the people.”