Steve Garvey hopes to return California to past glory with U.S. Senate run

Steve Garvey knows that running for the U.S. Senate from California as a Republican might be tougher than hitting a 100 mph fastball.

“It’s probably, arguably the most difficult office to run for in America,” Garvey laughed. “But you know, why not shoot high?”

Saying he wants to return California to the greatness he first saw as a rookie for the Dodgers in 1969 and leaning on his reputation as a legendary baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Garvey, a long-time Rancho Mirage resident, officially announced a run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate next year. While he has never run for public office before, the 74-year-old Garvey has been connected with Republican politics through fundraisers and appearances through the years, including in the last few months in the desert and Orange County.

“It is a daunting task. People say there is no way someone with an R behind their name or a conservative — and I am a conservative moderate — can win,” Garvey said. “Well, we are going to prove them wrong.”

Garvey will be running for the seat held for 31 years by Sen. Diane Feinstein, who died in office on Sept. 29 at the age of 90. Gov. Gavin Newsom filled the vacancy on Oct. 1 with Laphonza Butler, a regent of the University of California and Democratic political activist.

More: How Laphonza Butler could reshape California’s U.S. Senate race

Garvey said he'd like to return California to the state he first saw when he fulfilled his own dream of becoming a major league player.

“Those next 20 years were an honor to play with great teams, great players, win championships,” Garvey said. “I fell in love with California, grew a family, grew businesses, have been involved with charities and educational institutions.

“That old saying is the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you realize why,” Garvey added. “I realized in the 1970s and 1980s as my career was developing that my voice, and who I am, resonated with the fans and my neighbors.”

Garvey said that same California doesn’t exist today.

“Californians can’t afford to tell themselves that this is a great state right now. Because all you have to do is listen in the streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles and watch the homeless,” he said. “I did a ride along with the police down here, and it is really eye-opening, even for our valley here.”

Garvey played Major League Baseball from 1969 through 1987. He was a 10-time all-star first baseman noted for his strong defensive play as well as his offensive production. He was the 1974 National League most valuable player and a member of the Dodgers' 1981 World Series championship team.

After the 1982 season, Garvey signed with the San Diego Padres and played there for five years, including helping the Padres to the 1984 National League championship. He was the National League Championship Series most valuable player for the Padres in 1984, the same award he won with the Dodgers in 1978. Garvey also still holds the record for consecutive games played in the National League at 1,207.

Quality of life issues for campaign

Word of Garvey exploring a run first came out in June, with Garvey saying he would listen to advisors and talk to voters to gauge a potential run. It was talking to people up and down the state that made the decision for him, Garvey said, and not the death of Feinstein or the appointment of Butler to fill the empty seat.

“That started the last couple of months going up and down the state, talking to people, talking to everyday people,” Garvey said. “What are your challenges? What about the quality of your life? People spent five, 10, 15 minutes just pouring their hearts out about how surpassed they feel, how they feel no one is listening to them, politicians talk down to them. They say, 'you know what, you’re the first person who asked us about us, about myself.'”

Garvey said his campaign will focus on three issues that all fall under the umbrella of quality of life.

“You’ve got the economy with inflation, you’ve got crime in the streets and then you’ve got education,” Garvey said. “I think those three things affect families on a daily basis. And then you’ve got the other issues, the homelessness, the southern border is another thing, climate change comes up. There are probably 10 issues, but those three I think are at the top.”

Garvey also said he is disturbed by the rancor in Washington, D.C.

“The last few years, you start seeing this ugliness, this dysfunction in Washington,” he said. “You watch every day and the fighting back and forth, and you think to yourself, my God, this is America. These people who are elected as supposed to work together for the good of the people.”

Garvey might be a longshot to win the general election in November 2024, but he said he’s already getting support from some surprising people.

“About a month ago a (San Francisco) Giants fan came up to me and said, Garv, I hate the Dodgers, but I am going to vote for you,” Garvey laughed. “I figured well, I’ve got that going for me.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Steve Garvey hopes his voice resonates in U.S. Senate campaign