In the race for a California U.S. Senate seat, incumbent Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican challenger Steve Garvey have both amassed substantial war chests, with each candidate raising over $3 million in the latest fundraising cycle, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.
Rep. Adam Schiff, representing Burbank, pulled in $3.51 million between February 15 and March 31, while Steve Garvey, the former Major League baseball star, garnered $3.39 million during the same period.
Despite their nearly equal fundraising efforts, Schiff maintains a significant financial edge over Garvey. As of March 31, Schiff boasted $4.8 million in cash on hand, compared to Garvey’s $1.6 million. Moreover, Schiff’s campaign reported no outstanding debt, while Garvey’s campaign owed approximately $373,000 for various campaign-related services.
Schiff’s advantage extends beyond his campaign coffers, as he enjoys support from Standing Strong, a SuperPAC with the capacity to raise and spend unlimited funds to bolster his candidacy. Since the start of the current election cycle last year, Standing Strong has amassed an impressive $10.1 million.
In response, Garvey’s supporters have launched their own SuperPAC, Strike Out Schiff. However, the latest financial report from this group indicates no activity.
Notably, Schiff’s campaign and the Standing Strong SuperPAC have indirectly contributed to Garvey’s fortunes, particularly during the March 5 primary. Additionally, Fairshake, a SuperPAC affiliated with the cryptocurrency industry, has lent support to Garvey’s bid. Despite initial polling favoring Schiff, which suggested an easy victory over Garvey, the dynamics of the race appear to have shifted.
A Berkeley-IGS poll conducted in late February indicated a close contest between Schiff and Garvey in a hypothetical general election matchup. Furthermore, had Schiff faced off against fellow Democrat Rep. Katie Porter, who finished third in the primary, the poll suggested a dead heat. Ultimately, the primary saw Schiff and Garvey emerge as the top two contenders, advancing to the November election.
As the California Senate race intensifies, the financial prowess of Schiff and Garvey underscores the high stakes and fierce competition shaping the contest. With substantial resources at their disposal, both candidates are poised to wage a spirited battle for victory in November.