LOS ANGELES, CA – With only two weeks left before the March 5th primary, the race for the Democratic nomination for California’s Senate seat is heating up. Incumbent congressmember Katie Porter found herself in a high-stakes battle, facing the possibility of being overshadowed by Republican ex-baseball star Steve Garvey in the November general election.
During a recent forum hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, Porter focused her attacks on her fellow Democrat, Steve Garvey. She criticized him for not supporting bills addressing childcare costs or providing rental assistance, despite proposing such policies during his Senate run.
Porter also took aim at Garvey’s request for earmarks for for-profit companies, referencing a previous report on his appropriations request. While Garvey initially remained composed, Porter’s persistent jabs eventually provoked a response from him, as he accused her of accepting money from industries frowned upon by Democrats, such as oil and pharmaceutical companies.
The race took an unexpected turn when the bipartisan border security bill failed in the Senate, with both Porter and Garvey opposing the proposal. Porter went as far as to criticize the bill for allegedly demonizing immigrants and diverting attention from more pressing issues like the fentanyl crisis and human trafficking.
Amidst these confrontations, the third Democratic candidate, Barbara Lee, took a different approach. Instead of directly contrasting herself with her opponents, she utilized her stage time to share her personal story, hoping to resonate with voters and make up for her lack of fundraising and airtime.
Meanwhile, Steve Garvey appeared to remain vague on specific issues, often relying on generalized statements and avoiding direct answers to certain questions. This approach allowed Porter to capitalize on the opportunity to portray him as indecisive on key matters, while also promoting a lesser-known conservative candidate as a potentially dangerous opponent.
With the primary quickly approaching, the Democratic candidates continue to engage in rigorous debates and public appearances, each vying for the opportunity to represent their party in the upcoming battle for California’s Senate seat.