Adam Schiff leads in ad spending for California Senate race
Rep. Adam Schiff’s Senate Campaign: Outspending Rivals to Secure First Place
Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to secure a first-place finish in the upcoming primary. With just a month left before voters decide who will advance to the general election, Schiff is sparing no expense to maintain his front-runner status.
Since last year, Schiff has consistently led his four competitors in both fundraising and polling. However, the race remains fluid, and the margins are close. To solidify his position, Schiff’s campaign has spent a staggering $5.8 million on advertising in the last two weeks alone. In comparison, Rep. Katie Porter’s Senate campaign has spent $2.5 million during the same period.
But Schiff’s spending spree doesn’t stop at traditional TV ads. He has also dominated the political ad space on Facebook and Google, trailing only the Biden Victory Fund and Americans for Prosperity Action in nationwide digital ad spending.
With a war chest of $35 million, Schiff has the financial resources to sustain this expensive campaign cycle. While Porter and Steve Garvey, the Republican former first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, have been trailing slightly behind Schiff, they are still fighting for second place.
A Competitive Primary in California
California operates under a “jungle primary” system, where candidates from all parties compete to be one of the two finalists in the general election. This year’s primary is scheduled for March 5.
Given the state’s heavily Democratic leaning, it is not uncommon for two Democrats to advance to the general election. While Schiff is widely expected to be on the November ballot, his competitor remains uncertain.
Pollsters suggest that a race against Porter, who represents conservative Orange County despite her progressive stance, would be more challenging for Schiff than going head-to-head against Garvey, who is likely to build a majority voting coalition as a Republican.
A New Ad Unveiled: Schiff vs. Garvey
Recognizing that he and Garvey are the leading candidates in the race, Schiff’s campaign recently released a new ad targeting his Republican opponent. The 30-second spot highlights the contrasting voting records of Schiff and Garvey, aiming to portray the latter as “too conservative for California.” It points out that Garvey voted for former President Donald Trump in the past two elections.
During their primary debate, Garvey was noncommittal about who he planned to vote for in November when pressed on this issue. Porter and her chief of staff were quick to react to the ad, criticizing it as “brazenly cynical.”
Porter wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Adam Schiff knows he will lose to me in November. That’s what this brazenly cynical ad is about — furthering his own political career, boxing out qualified Democratic women candidates, and boosting a Republican candidate to do it. We need honest leadership, not political games.”
Schiff’s campaign defended the ad, stating that it was important to showcase Garvey’s voting record to Californians, given his standing in the polls. They emphasized the differences between the two top-polling candidates and their respective agendas.
Endorsements and Divisions on Middle East Policy
Schiff enjoys the support of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Sen. Barbara Boxer, while Porter has the backing of Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Rep. Barbara Lee, a progressive icon representing the Oakland area, often places fourth in the race.
Aside from campaign ads, the race has also seen sharp divisions over Middle East policy. Lee, known for being the sole member of Congress to vote against the war authorization to invade Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, has called for a ceasefire in Gaza following the recent attacks on Israel.
Schiff, a staunch pro-Israel voice, has defended Israel’s right to defend itself and eliminate Hamas terrorists from Gaza. Porter has advocated for a “lasting bilateral ceasefire” conditional on the return of hostages and Hamas relinquishing control of Gaza.
During their debate, the three candidates clashed over this issue. Schiff emphasized the need for a two-state solution while ensuring Israel’s security, while Lee warned of potential negative consequences for U.S. national security if Israel were to cause a regional crisis.
Porter, on the other hand, called for the United States to push for a ceasefire and avoid another “forever war.”
As the primary draws near, the competition remains fierce, and the outcome of the race is still uncertain. California voters will have the final say on March 5.
How has Schiff’s financial advantage impacted his campaign strategy in the final stretch of the primary election?
He’s desperate to smear Steve Garvey to secure his own position. I’m focused on representing the people, not playing dirty politics.”
The Final Stretch
As the primary date draws near, the campaigns are intensifying their efforts to gain the support of California voters. Schiff’s substantial financial advantage has allowed him to launch an aggressive advertising campaign both on traditional media and digital platforms.
However, it is important to note that money alone does not guarantee victory—the opinions and choices of the voters ultimately determine the outcome of the election. The remaining days leading up to the primary will be crucial for both Schiff and his competitors as they make their final push to win over voters and secure a place on the November ballot.
Regardless of the outcome, the 2022 Senate race in California is shaping up to be a closely contested and competitive election, highlighting the importance of the state in national politics. The results will not only impact the Senate composition but also the direction of policies and legislation that will affect millions of Californians and Americans as a whole.
As the primary election approaches, voters will be closely watching the candidates’ performances, their policy positions, and their ability to connect with constituents. With Rep. Adam Schiff’s substantial financial advantage and front-runner status, it remains to be seen whether his campaign strategy and spending will be enough to secure him a first-place finish and a spot in the general election.
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