The two Californians vying for a U.S. Senate seat — Rep. Adam Schiff and former Dodgers star Steve Garvey — went head-to-head in their first and only scheduled debate of the general election cycle on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The hourlong televised forum, which aired live on KABC Channel 7, featured the candidates debating each other over several issues, including immigration and border security, abortion and housing. While relatively cordial overall, there were moments of heated exchanges, particularly when it came to reproductive health care and former President Donald Trump.
Like in many races this election cycle, reproductive health care took center stage during Tuesday’s debate. Schiff criticized Garvey’s stance on reproductive rights and abortion, saying California voters want an elected representative who does not support the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Garvey, who is Catholic, said he believes in life at conception but pledged to “support the voice of Californians” and what the majority of Californians say they want on such matters.
On housing, Schiff said he would support a tax credit for renters, similar to how homeowners get a tax credit for paying their mortgage. He also called for tax incentives to encourage more housing development and for local cities to accelerate the production of housing units.
Garvey, meanwhile, said that once the country can get the economy roaring again, people will be able to purchase homes and rent at affordable prices.
On the issue of immigration and border control, Schiff said there needs to be a comprehensive immigration policy that includes using technology to catch dealers bringing in fentanyl and other drugs while also treating people with dignity and providing relief to farmers and Dreamers, young children who were brought to the U.S. illegally.
Garvey called the migration of people across the border an “existential crisis” and said the U.S. government needs to “finish up the wall” that Trump has promised for the country’s southern border since his first White House bid.
Trump, who is again the Republican presidential nominee this year, came up time and again during the Senate debate.
Schiff sought to tie Garvey to Trump, who notably has not endorsed Garvey, the Republican candidate, in the race. Schiff brought up Garvey’s record of voting for Trump in multiple past elections. Voters, Schiff said, are “not looking for some MAGA mini-me in a baseball uniform,” invoking Trump’s campaign slogan.
Garvey, meanwhile, used Trump to attack Schiff, saying that after more than two decades in Congress, the Burbank Democrat is only known for one thing: seeking the impeachment of Trump. He called that “unconscionable.”
On his voting record, as it pertains to Trump, Garvey said: “I make my decisions based on what I think is best for the people. I did vote for Donald Trump. I believe he’s the best man for the job.”
Schiff said he will be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, this November.
Schiff served in the California state Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001. He represents parts of L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley.
Garvey and Schiff are vying to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died in September 2023. Voters will be voting twice for this seat – first to decide which candidate will fill the remainder of Feinstein’s term, which ends in January. The second vote will decide which candidate will serve a full, six-year term.
Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to the seat after Feinstein’s death, opted not to seek a full term.
During Tuesday’s debate, Schiff invoked Feinstein’s name at least three times, and said he would like to follow Feinstein’s model of working across the aisle, regardless of party affiliation.
“Mr. Schiff, you’re not Dianne Feinstein,” Garvey responded.
Schiff said he was not pretending to be equal to Feinstein but said that like her, he’s reached across the aisle to get things done while “Mr. Garvey was signing baseballs for the last 37 years.”
Garvey wore a yellow ribbon pin affixed to his suit during the debate. A campaign spokesperson said it was to honor the hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Schiff and Garvey advanced out of the March primary, with Schiff capturing 31.6% of the vote while Garvey received 31.5%. But the primary election featured a crowded field of candidates, with many Democratic votes split between Schiff and Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.
More recent polls have consistently shown Schiff with a solid lead of 20-plus points, according to RealClearPolitics’ aggregated data.
As a member of Congress, Schiff gained national recognition for leading efforts to impeach Trump. He also served on the Jan. 6 committee that investigated whether Trump was guilty of attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Garvey, meanwhile, is best known for his time in the MLB; the political newcomer and Republican candidate played 14 seasons with the Dodgers before he finished with the San Diego Padres for five seasons and was a 10-time National League All-Star.
