California Senate Primary: Party Candidates Engage Political Battle To Fill Dianne Feinstein's Seat

California party candidates are seeking to shore up support during the state's Senate primary in an attempt to fill late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat.

The race includes two prominent House Democrats who are scrambling after a late surge by a Republican former Dodgers star. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff have the opportunity to bring their national profiles into full view in the Senate.

California State Primary

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
California party candidates are engaged in a political battle to fill in the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat in the state primary.

In particular, Schiff could solidly position himself as the premier foil to a potential second Trump administration. On the other hand, Porter would probably join the economic reform wing of the Senate and criticize former United States President Donald Trump's choices for the Fed, Treasury, and Commerce.

Among the two, Schiff more be considered a more mainstream Democratic voice in the Senate. He also has the endorsement of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic power brokers.

On the other hand, Porter would be one of the most progressive senators as she has the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and many other progressive organizations. The Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Laphonza Butler, as per Axios.

Butler was appointed into his position following the death of Feinstein and he is not running for re-election in the November election. The state runs a non-partisan top-two primary, which means that a long and ugly fight could be observed if two Democrats qualify and a relatively easy win for a Democrat if a Republican makes the cut.

Amid the race, Schiff is leading the RealClearPolitics average of polls, followed by Republican Steve Garvey, who previously played first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the 1970s and 1980s.

Schiff and a super PAC that supports his campaign have already spent millions of dollars attacking Garvey in an attempt to push the Republican into the top two. The California Senate seat would provide whoever gets elected with massive potential power, prestige, and visibility.

Lawmakers Seek Dianne Feinstein's Seat

Garvey previously warned that voters in the Golden State have been "suppressed" by Democratic lawmakers. The former 10-time MLB All-Star discussed his candidacy during an interview and explained why he believes California voters are "mad" about the state's Democratic leadership, according to Fox News.

On Monday, he said that the people of the state will not take it anymore, adding that voters know "his heart" and believe that he will represent their best interests. The Republican said that career politicians have failed the people of California, arguing that it was now time for a change, a fresh young face, and somebody who had new ideas.

California is a state where a Republican has not won a Senate race since 1988 and Democrats are expected to easily hold the seat in the November general elections. Schiff has, for months, had the fundraising and polling edge. However, it is possible for Garvey to claim the second spot on the November ballot.

In a fundraising plea in the election's final days, Porter wrote that polls are predicting that they are going to lose and that her time in Congress will end for good, said The Hill.