PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Adam Schiff, the Democrat representative from California known for leading the first impeachment of Donald Trump, has defeated Republican Steve Garvey in the contest for the U.S. Senate seat once occupied by the late Dianne Feinstein, as reported by the Associated Press.

As anticipated, Schiff easily secured victory over Garvey, with results being announced shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. PT. This outcome showcased California’s strong Democratic majority and the popularity of early voting. The swift announcement of results coincided with California’s presidential election, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris emerged victorious.

This marks the first Senate race in California in eight years. Dianne Feinstein passed away in September 2023, paving the way for a new six-year term that will commence in January 2025.

On the ballot in California, there are two Senate races: one for the short remainder of Feinstein’s term ending in January and the other for a full term beginning immediately after. Both Schiff and Garvey are competing in both races.

Schiff, who has been a California representative since 2000 and gained national attention in the 2020 impeachment trial, was heavily favored throughout the campaign, according to various polls.

In a UC Berkeley poll conducted on October 11, Schiff received support from 53% of likely voters, compared to Garvey’s 36%, with 11% remaining undecided.

Garvey, a former professional baseball player, has no prior political experience. After his MLB career ended in 1988, he maintained his status as a well-known personality and became a motivational speaker.

He played both baseball and football at Michigan State University before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969 and later playing for the San Diego Padres in 1982.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, Schiff represents a significant portion of central Los Angeles, which includes Hollywood, Pasadena, and Glendale.

In recent years, Schiff has become a prominent voice within the Democratic Party, often opposing MAGA Republicanism and drawing criticism from former President Donald Trump.

Senate Seat Race Competed Heavily During Primaries

The competition for California’s first open Senate seat in eight years unofficially began when Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a Democrat and former president of EMILY’s List, to the position after Feinstein’s death. However, Butler chose not to run, leaving the race free of incumbents.

Ultimately, Schiff and Garvey emerged as the top candidates, collectively winning about 31.5% of the vote, while other leading Democratic contenders, Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, lagged behind. Initially thought to result in a Porter-Schiff matchup, the primary concluded with Schiff leveraging his substantial fundraising efforts and tactical campaign to secure a more straightforward path to victory in November.

Despite consolidating California’s Republican voter base, Garvey’s performance in debates and limited campaign budget left him with a challenging road ahead in the November election.

While California’s 58 counties have a diverse political landscape, featuring everything from Democratic strongholds like San Francisco to Republican areas in the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley, the statewide sentiment remains firmly Democratic. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two to one, and no Republican has claimed a statewide office in decades.