Steve Garvey, renowned baseball figure and candidate for the California Senate, seeks to restore order to a “dysfunctional Washington.” In a conversation with Fox News Digital, the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion explained his decision to run as a Republican, confidently sidelining opponents whom he believes aim to represent only a portion of the state.
“Earlier this year, I wondered, ‘Let’s see who I can get behind in California that I can support, that had my values and my commitment to this country,’ and I couldn’t find anybody. You know how strongly liberal [California has become] over the years and generations,” the Major League Baseball great recalled.
“I woke up one morning and decided to see if there’s a pathway to run for the U.S. Senate.”
After declaring his Senate candidacy for the seat previously occupied by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in October, Garvey and his campaign have been actively engaging with residents across California, working to establish connections and make progress.
“We’ve been actively, over the first probably four months after making that decision, talking to significant people that I trust in the world of politics and then going around California, talking to the people in the north, coastal and central California, and also down south where we are,” he said.
As a former National League MVP, Garvey spent 14 years with the Dodgers and an additional five with the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1987. He is now poised to transition his sports expertise into the realm of Congress.
“My whole life has been based on, you know, team building and putting teams together with comparable skills, leadership, dedication, passion,” he said, reflecting on his early years as a bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers during spring training in 1956.
At 74 years old, Garvey emphasized that his baseball background has equipped him with the skills to assemble successful teams, citing his ability to achieve this both in Los Angeles, San Diego, and within the community.
“It doesn’t stop just with sports teams. It goes all the way into business and politics, in religion and all those things,” Garvey said of his team-building efforts. “So, that’s the most important thing I’m focusing on in terms of interaction with other politicians.”
Upon assuming office, Garvey, if elected, plans to initiate meetings with every senator to foster relationships and cultivate a consensus beneficial for both Californians and the nation. He expressed concern about California’s shift from being the “heartbeat of America” to a “murmur” due to financial and safety challenges.
Throughout his campaign, Garvey has prioritized addressing issues such as inflation, crime, education, homelessness, and supporting law enforcement during his interactions with voters across the state.
“The challenges of hardworking Californians getting up every day and knowing that, under our economy now and inflation, that by the time the month’s over, they could be losing seven, eight, $900. And that’s when they’re even managing their daily lives well,” Garvey said. “The food and the gas and education for their children, clothing … all of these things are due to inflation that’s risen so much that it’s tough to stay above water.
“What I’ll focus on is getting back to a free market, capitalism, that will target small businesses,” he added. “You know, there’s so many people that want to start businesses and small market businesses. Small businesses are the foundation of the business world, especially here in California. So many of those people who wanted to start small businesses have left California.”
Addressing the safety concerns of California residents, Garvey remarked, “Crime is undeniably prominent in this state.”
“These steal-and-smash mobs that are going around are something that started in the last year or two. Not only is it about thievery, it’s about danger to people.”
Commending the diligence of California’s “dedicated police and sheriffs” in their commitment to serving the public and maintaining peace, Garvey emphasized the need for additional measures to prevent immediate release of those who are incarcerated.
“They’re putting their lives on the line, taking these criminals to the jails and getting them registered and doing the paperwork and looking out the window and seeing them walk through the parking lot because the DAs have let them go,” Garvey said.
“And it’s not just the streets of downtown and in other areas closer to town. It’s neighborhoods where people have to really question whether they can go out and walk at night or maybe sometimes in the daytime.”
Regarding homelessness, Garvey stressed the significance of comprehending the “pathways” available for individuals on the streets to reconnect their lives, particularly when facing physical, mental, and spiritual challenges.
“I think we also have to deeply consider our own citizens who have to be protected on the streets,” he said. “I think the best way to do it is start to develop programs that will get the homeless off the streets into a warm, secure area that’s going to be able to give them the psychological, physical and mental (reunion) with society.
“A lot of these homeless people are veterans,” he added. “One of my focuses is gonna be getting back to taking care of these veterans, men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country, and not dismiss them once they’re out of service or trying to get back into society.”
In terms of education, Garvey, a parent and grandparent himself, expressed concern about what he perceives as a “threat” to the family unit.
“Parents [are] feeling that they’re not able to provide safety and a pathway for their children to be educated adults so that they can go out in the world and be productive,” he said. “I think we need to get back to education that gets to core issues – core issues of preparing our children and getting away from social issues that have the tendency to confuse our children.”
Over his 19-year career, which included 14 years with the Dodgers, Garvey achieved a batting average of .294, hitting 272 home runs and recording 1,308 runs batted in. Renowned for his Popeye-like forearms, the first baseman earned 10 All-Star selections and secured the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1974 by batting .312 with 21 home runs and 111 runs batted in.
The primary election is set for March 5, 2024, followed by the general election on Nov. 5, 2024.
