Steve Garvey visited Israel, but will it win over California voters in Senate race against Schiff?

SACRAMENTO, California — In an effort to boost his chances of winning one of California’s U.S. Senate seats, Republican Steve Garvey traveled to Israel last month in search of a spot to run against U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, a Jewish Democrat known for his support for America’s key ally in the Middle East.

It often happens that politicians make the journey to Israela country that has become even more important on the world stage since Hamas’ attack on October 7 and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by Israel. It is also a way for politicians to bolster their foreign policy credentials — especially for first-time candidates like Garvey.

But Garvey’s trip has left some political pundits puzzled, wondering why the former Major League Baseball star would weigh in on an issue that Schiff seemed to have a handle on.

“There’s really no room for Garvey to grab Schiff’s take on the war between Israel and Hamas,” said Kim Nalder, a political science professor at California State University, Sacramento. “His only potential vulnerability here is on the left, so Garvey’s attempt won’t work.”

The trip underscores the challenges facing Garvey — and every other statewide Republican candidate trying to connect with voters in this deep-blue state. Under California’s rules, Democrats and Republicans appear on the same ballot, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

In notoriously liberal California, expectations were not high for a viable Republican candidate to contest the Senate this year, especially given the strong field of Democrats vying for the chance to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein — who died in September and was temporarily replaced by the now- Senator Laphonza ButlerWHO refused to run for the seat.

But Garvey – the former National League MVP and World Series champion with the beloved Los Angeles Dodgers from Southern California – that equation changes. Garvey is ready just behind Schiff in the March primary for the Senate term that begins in January benefited from the fact that Democrats split their votes among three incumbent Congressmen: Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.

And Garvey was the best finisher for a partial term to fill the Senate seat until the full term begins in January.

California voters haven’t elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1988. Democrats control all elected offices in the state, relegating Republicans to a handful of congressional and state districts. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about twice as many in the state.

Garvey’s trip to Israel was smart because it showed his commitment to a major foreign policy issue for the United States, said Republican political consultant Rob Stutzman. But he said the bigger concern is Garvey’s low-profile campaign in California, with few public events and little exposure in the state’s expensive media markets so far.

“When Garvey came in, there was some hope for a more high-profile Republican Senate candidate who would help turn the vote down,” Stutzman said. “At this point, I think you really have to ask whether Republicans would be better off with someone who is younger and has experience and works harder as a better use of a campaign nomination.”

Garvey said in an interview with The Associated Press that his campaign has “put together a pretty good plan” for the general election. He recently spoke at an event hosted by megachurch pastor Jack Hibbs. Garvey said he thought his performance in the primaries “shocked a lot of people.”

“You have to be careful about taking for granted someone who has lived in California for 50 years as a famous baseball star,” he said.

For Garvey, the trip to Israel continued what he sees as a theme of his candidacy: “To go where the people of California need answers.” As a candidate, he has visited the U.S.-Mexico border and the notorious Skid Row neighborhood in Los Angeles, known for its large homeless population. His trip to Israel came after tensions ran high on major California university campuses this spring as dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been arrested.

“People need a new voice,” he said. “Career politicians have failed them.”

But Garvey’s path to criticize Schiff is narrow. In May, the Biden administration halted a shipment of bombs to Israel to signal his resistance to the country that launches an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Angry Republicans in Congress a bill passed who wanted to force the US to send the bombs to Israel anyway.

Schiff voted against that bill, which did not become law. Garvey called Schiff’s vote at the time “a betrayal” of Israel.

“I think in life, if you’re attacked, especially by a country, you have to fight back to protect yourself,” Garvey said.

Schiff said he voted against the measure in part because “Republicans in the House continue to use Israel as a political weapon.”

In April, Schiff voted for a package that $95 billion in aid to U.S. allies, including Ukraine and Israel. He has been endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and has made multiple trips to Israel and the West Bank, including meetings with Israeli government ministers and King Abdullah of Jordan.

“I have supported providing Israel with all necessary equipment to defend itself, end Hamas rule in Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages, while simultaneously seeking to protect innocent civilians and provide humanitarian assistance,” Schiff said.

In Israel, Garvey met with military commanders and relatives of victims of the October 7 Hamas attack. He also visited the site of a music festival where civilians were killed and prayed at the Western Wall.

“I had to get over it. I had to dive deeper,” Garvey said.