Four candidates vying for a U.S. Senate seat in California engaged in a spirited debate on Monday. This debate was particularly significant as it marked the competition for a rare open seat previously held by the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The debate was not without its star: Donald Trump, the presumed 2024 Republican presidential nominee, played a prominent role. Being a solidly blue state, it’s highly unlikely that Trump would fare well in a general election here. The three Democratic candidates, U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee, each took the opportunity to underscore their opposition to the former president. They also cornered the lone Republican candidate, former baseball player Steve Garvey, for his refusal to reveal whether he would support Trump in the upcoming election.
Schiff, who labeled Trump a “dictator” and “the gravest threat to democracy in our history,” asked Garvey why he refused to withdraw his support. Garvey responded by stating that Trump was the best person for the job in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. However, he declined to disclose who he would support this time. The exchange drew laughter from the crowd, prompting Porter to quip, “Once a dodger, always a dodger. This is not the minor leagues. Who will you vote for?”
Porter positioned herself as a consumer advocate, emphasizing her commitment to stand against corporate power and address income and wealth inequality. She called for greater power for Californians and promised to ban earmarks and stock trading for members of Congress.
The debate, hosted by the USC Dornsife Center, FOX 11 Los Angeles, and Politico, took place in Los Angeles ahead of the March 5 “jungle primary.” In this nonpartisan primary, all candidates are on the same ballot, and the top two will progress to the general election. While Schiff is considered the front-runner, it remains uncertain whether Garvey or one of the other Democratic candidates will secure the second spot.
Porter and Lee repeatedly critiqued Garvey for his reluctance to take clear positions on divisive issues, presenting him as too conservative for California. Porter insisted that abortion is a freedom issue, emphasizing that individuals should have the right to decide whether and when to have a child. Lee defended her opposition to ending the filibuster, stressing the need to fight politically to prevent a nationwide ban on abortion.
Garvey attempted to appeal to both conservatives and liberals, positioning himself as a moderate conservative and calling for a return to common sense, compassion, and consensus-building in California. He made it clear that he would not support a federal ban on abortion.
During the debate, when asked to rate the economy on a scale of 1 to 10, Schiff gave it a 7, Lee a 6, Porter a 5, and Garvey said it’s at most a 5.
The candidates also clashed over their approaches to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While Lee advocated for a cease-fire in Gaza, Schiff defended his opposition to it, emphasizing the need to pursue a two-state solution and for Israel to protect itself from Hamas. Porter supported a “permanent cease-fire” and called for conditions to be met to ensure a lasting bilateral peace. Garvey, on the other hand, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a two-state solution.
As the California Senate race heats up, this debate provided a glimpse into the candidates’ positions and strategies, setting the stage for further political clashes. To learn more about the candidates and their positions, visit F5 Magazine.