Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, leads the primary race to become California’s next U.S. senator, while Republican former Dodger Steve Garvey follows in second place.
That’s according to the first wave of ballots released by the secretary of state’s office shortly after polls closed on Tuesday night, which consist of vote by mail ballots received prior to election day.
At that time, Schiff held 36% of the vote, Garvey held 30%, Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine held 15%, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland held 7%. The remaining 24 candidates each held 3% or less of the vote. This story will be updated as subsequent results are released.
See the latest election results.
The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will proceed to a November runoff.
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The race to fill the seat long held by former Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died in September 2023, has attracted many political hopefuls, but Schiff, Porter, Garvey and Lee quickly rose to the front of the pack. They have spent the last few months in a furious frenzy of debates, media appearances and meet and greets to make their case to California voters in the nation’s most expensive Senate race.
Schiff, known for leading the House effort to impeach former President Donald Trump in 2020, branded himself a defender of democracy with the guts to stand up to Republicans and get things done for the Golden State.
Porter, who is a former consumer protection attorney, painted herself as an anti-corruption crusader committed to getting affordable prices for childcare, healthcare, housing and more.
Lee, the highest-ranking Black woman appointed to House leadership, established herself as the most progressive candidate with bold visions like a $50 minimum wage and making public colleges and universities free.
Garvey, a former Dodger player, pitched himself as a common-sense conservative who would address reckless spending and crackdown on crime and homelessness.
While all three Democratic representatives are highly accomplished legislators, Schiff has clinched the most internal party support with the endorsement of over 80% of the California Democratic congressional delegation, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Schiff also leads fundraising with $31.4 million in campaign contributions, followed by Porter with $28 million, Lee with $5 million and Garvey with $2.1 million, according to FEC filings through Feb. 14.
Despite his deep pockets, Schiff’s fellow challengers are working to give him a run for his money.
Porter is fighting tooth-and-nail to make it to the runoff and in the most recent debate attacked Schiff for being a “career politician”, taking corporate money, and failing to introduce legislation to lower the cost of housing or childcare. Schiff swung back, accusing her of also accepting corporate money and defending his record of fighting to make California more affordable.
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Election 2024: What happens to Laphonza Butler’s Senate seat after California’s primary?
Garvey has rallied strong support from Golden State Republicans and voters seeking a change from California’s status quo thanks to his celebrity name, conservative ideals and outsider appeal. He also benefits from the three-way split in the Democratic vote during the primary but would face a much tougher battle in a runoff.
Lee, who has consistently polled fourth, has diligently stuck to her progressive ideals and refrained from engaging in scraps with other candidates.
The seat they are fighting over is one of the most influential in American politics.
Feinstein previously held the position for more than two decades. After her death, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed former Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to serve the remainder of her term. Butler declined to run for a full term creating a rare wide open race.
Whoever ultimately wins in November could go on to represent California — and the world’s fifth largest economy — for many years to come.