California’s Big Senate Race in 2024: Adam Schiff vs. Steve Garvey

California is having an important Senate election on November 5, 2024. The main candidates are Adam Schiff, a Democrat, and Steve Garvey, a Republican who used to play baseball. Voters will have to make two critical choices on their ballots.

What Voters Need to Do:

Special Election: One ballot item pertains to a special election set to appoint a senator for the final weeks of the 118th Congress, ending January 3, 2025.

General Election: The second ballot item seeks to elect a senator for a full term beginning January 3, 2025, coinciding with the start of the 119th Congress.

California’s nonpartisan blanket primary system ensures that all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two candidates from this primary advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.

What Happened in the Primary:

Vote Dynamics: Special election victors can secure their win outright by obtaining more than 50% of the vote in the first round. The current incumbent, Senator Laphonza Butler, was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023 following the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Butler’s Decision: On October 19, 2023, Senator Butler announced that she would not compete for either the remaining term of Feinstein’s seat or for a full term. During the primaries held on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey advanced to the general election.

Historical Context:

Male Senator Re-emergence: This election marks a significant moment as it will be the first time since John Seymour’s departure in 1992 that a male senator will hold this particular seat. The 2024 election also introduces a unique dynamic, with California potentially hosting both a younger senior senator and an older junior senator.

Why This Election Matters:

Generational Shift: The impending elections are set to redefine California’s Senate representation with its potential generational leadership mix. Schiff and Garvey’s prominence in the race underscores a broader political transition within the state.

Political Landscape Impact: Beyond simply filling Feinstein’s term and commencing a new full term in 2025, this shift may significantly influence California’s political environment, reflecting the evolving priorities and ideologies of its electorate.

In short, this election is about more than just picking a new senator. It shows how California’s politics are changing. With Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey as the main choices, voters will decide on the state’s political future and its role in national politics.”