Democrat Adam Schiff hopes Republican Steve Garvey makes top two in election

California's Senate race heats up as Democrats battle for top two spots, with late surge from Republican Steve Garvey shaking things up.

The battle for an open Senate seat in California is heating up, with Democrats facing the challenge of securing the two general election slots. Rep. Adam Schiff has long been seen as the frontrunner, but a late surge from Republican Steve Garvey has shaken up the race.

California's unique "jungle primary" system means that the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election. If Garvey manages to edge out other Democratic candidates, it could lead to a split in votes and funding, potentially affecting the outcome of the election.

The Senate race in California has already become one of the most expensive contests in the 2024 cycle, with Democrats facing the challenge of defending 23 seats compared to Republicans' 11. Allies of Schiff have invested heavily in boosting Garvey to avoid a divisive intraparty battle in November.

Recent polls show Garvey leading with 27%, followed by Schiff at 25%, Porter at 19%, and Lee at 8%. However, Schiff still maintains the overall lead in the RealClearPolitics aggregate. The top Democratic candidates have positioned themselves as aggressive progressives, with Schiff aiming to be a key opponent to former President Donald Trump if he wins in November.

Garvey, a former baseball star, is a first-time candidate who could benefit from low turnout on Super Tuesday. The final results in California may not be known for several days due to mail-in voting.

Overall, the California Senate race is shaping up to be a closely watched and highly competitive contest, with Democrats facing the challenge of maintaining unity and securing victory in a crucial battleground state.