Former baseball player and Republican candidate Steve Garvey has raised far less money than his Democratic rival in the California battle for a rare open seat in the U.S. Senate, federal filings show. .
Campaign finance reports released Wednesday by the Federal Election Commission show Garvey, who played first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, received about $610,000 from about 4,500 donors and political action committees last year. Collected dollars.
The numbers are the first glimpse at the scale of Mr. Garvey's campaign, which started in October far later than his leading Democratic rivals in the race.
The cash Garvey brought in was less than “the amount of money that career politicians in this race have raised through the Washington, D.C., establishment over the years,” campaign spokesman Matt Shupe said. . But things appear to be looking up, he said, with Garvey's campaign raising more money in January than it did in all of 2023.
In California, home to some of the nation's most expensive media markets, fundraising numbers are used as an indicator of a candidate's chances of winning statewide office.
Statewide advertising campaigns are essential for candidates who want to garner the support of a significant portion of California's 22 million registered voters. Airing an effective television advertising campaign could cost him millions of dollars a week in the Los Angeles media market alone.
Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) enters 2024 with nearly $35 million on hand, more than all his opponents combined. Submitted document show. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, Schiff's campaign raised about $5.7 million from individual donors and more than $136,000 from political action committees.
Mr. Schiff invested a large sum of his war chest, adding $371,000 to the total raised in interest payments alone, according to the filing. His campaign said 95% of donations were less than $100, and the average donation was $32.
Campaign manager Brad Elkins said Schiff's fundraising numbers show that Californians are “necessary in the U.S. Senate to address cost-of-living issues, protect our democracy, and fight for an economy that works for everyone.” “It shows that he recognizes Adam as a defender.”
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) ended 2023 with $13.2 million in cash and raised nearly $3 million in the final quarter of the year, about half of Schiff's total. her filings show. She reported spending $1.7 million from October to December.
Mr. Schiff and Mr. Porter are among the House's most successful fundraisers, but Mr. Schiff spent $29 million last year defending his House seat in Orange County, and Mr. Schiff is cruising for re-election in Los Angeles. Ta. Burbank area. He banked much of the cash he raised and used it for his Senate campaign.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) raised just over $1 million in the final quarter of this year. Her campaign filings include. The campaign reported $1 million in contributions from individual donors and $1.5 million in expenses during the same period. The campaign ended with approximately $816,000 in hand at the end of the year.
Republican attorney Eric Early increase was reported More than $115,000 was donated by individual donors from October to December. He contributed $12,100 of his own money and $137,200 from his personal loan, leaving him with about $140,000 to finish 2023.
Christina Pascucci, a Los Angeles television journalist running for the Democratic Party, said: increase was reported From October to December, he earned more than $375,000, leaving him with $154,000 in 2024.
California's “jungle” primary system means that the two candidates who receive the most votes in the March 5th primary, regardless of party, will advance to the Nov. 5th general election.
If the top two vote-getters are both Democrats, the race will be competitive and expensive through November. California's progressive politics give Democratic challengers a strong advantage, making it unlikely if Republicans finish in the top two. A Republican has not won a statewide election since 2006.
