Former baseball player Steve Garvey, known for his time as a first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, has announced his candidacy for the California Senate seat left vacant by the late Dianne Feinstein. At 74 years old, Garvey has never held elected office before, but his campaign announcement video, which prominently features baseball references and highlights his career, demonstrates his enthusiasm for entering the political realm. The video opens with a voice-over of an announcer calling a home run and ends with Garvey proclaiming, "It's time to get off the bench. It's time to put the uniform on. It's time to get back in the game."

In his video, Garvey expresses his intention to run for the U.S. Senate in California, a state that he believes was once the heartbeat of America but has now become merely a murmur. The positions outlined on Garvey's campaign website align with typical Republican stances, including a promise to combat out-of-control inflation, address rising crime rates, and advocate for more choices in education for parents. However, he deviates from traditional Republican views on one issue: he does not support a federal abortion ban.

Garvey has disclosed that he voted for Donald J. Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. His decision to run as a Republican sets him up to face competition from at least three Democrats: Representatives Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff. A recent poll conducted by The Los Angeles Times and the University of California, Berkeley, indicates that if Garvey were to enter the race, he would start in a distant third place, tied with Lee, but trailing Porter by a significant margin. Laphonza Butler, the Democrat who was appointed to complete Feinstein's term, has not yet revealed whether she intends to run in the upcoming election.

California's unique electoral system, which does not have separate Democratic and Republican primaries, means that the top two candidates from the first round of voting, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election in November 2024. Consequently, the general election could potentially feature two Democrats and no Republicans, a plausible outcome in California, a predominantly blue state. If Garvey were to make it to the general election, he would face long odds, as California has not elected a Republican to the Senate in over three decades.

Garvey's campaign launch has garnered attention due to his status as a California baseball legend. His illustrious career and popularity could set him apart in a crowded field of candidates. Despite California's recent history of favoring Democratic senators, Garvey's star power and folksy demeanor may increase his chances of navigating through the state's jungle primary system and reaching the general election. If successful, Garvey could pose a more substantial challenge to Democrats' slim majority in the Senate compared to other Republican candidates in California.

Garvey, speaking in an interview with Reuters, described himself as a common-sense candidate focused on addressing quality-of-life issues in the high-cost state. He declined to delve into the specifics of his political ideology, including whether he supported Donald Trump's potential presidential bid in 2024. Instead, Garvey emphasized his intention to vote for the candidate he believes is best for the country and its people when the time comes. He did express his concerns regarding the rules that led to the removal of fellow Californian Kevin McCarthy as House of Representatives Speaker, stating that he found it disheartening that such a small group of right-wing Republicans had the power to take down the speaker.

Since retiring from baseball in 1987, Garvey has been involved in charitable work for health-related organizations such as Ronald McDonald House and the ALS Society. He has also operated a business focused on corporate branding and awareness. Garvey believes that his experiences in baseball, particularly the pressure of performing in front of large crowds, have prepared him for the challenges of U.S. politics.

Garvey's entrance into the race adds another dimension to the already competitive field of candidates vying for Feinstein's Senate seat. With his baseball legacy, potential appeal to voters beyond party lines, and determination to address critical issues in California, Garvey hopes to make a significant impact in the state's political landscape.