Two weeks before primary ballots hit Californians’ mailboxes, leading candidates vying for the state’s open Senate seat on Monday highlighted a key issue that’s dividing Democrats and foreshadowed what Republicans in blue states are likely to face in November.
Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam B. Schiff sparred over how the United States should deal with Israel’s response to an attack by Hamas from Gaza. But in a live televised debate, they aimed their sharpest attacks at Republican Steve Garvey, especially the former baseball player and political rookie’s refusal to disavow former President Donald Trump.
Garvey described himself as a “commonsense…conservative moderate” in the mold of Ronald Reagan, a former president who remains a revered figure among California Republicans. When asked if there was anything he disagreed with his party on in the Senate, Garvey responded “just about everything.” He then laughed, and it was unclear if he was serious or joking.
