On Tuesday, former National League MVP Steve Garvey announced that he is throwing his bat in the ring for the 2024 California Senatorial Election.
The seat he is competing for has been left empty since the passing of former Senator Dianne Feinstein two weeks ago. At the time of her passing, Feinstein was the oldest member of Congress and had served her role since 1992.
Garvey, a Republican who played first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, is likely to face an extremely difficult campaign as he works to fill a seat that has been occupied by a Democrat for more than 30 years. He represents just the latest in a string of celebrities who have recently attempted to run for office. Last December, former NFL star Herschel Walker lost a very competitive election to current Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. During the 2020 election, former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville (TUBB-erville) flipped an Alabama Senate seat.
The trend goes beyond the state, to federal elections as well. Former President Donald Trump was a celebrity businessman and reality TV star, turned commander and chief. Back in an episode of The Simpsons from the year 2000, Lisa Simpson predicted Donald Trumps presidency.
This was not the first time that a television show or movie commented on celebrities in politics. The 1985 movie Back to the Future had commentary on the trend.
Reagan was a Hollywood actor turned president, who began the trend we see today. Reagan’s presidential win as well as Trump’s are examples of celebrity success in running for and securing public office.
Garvey has his work cut out for him, according to USC Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Christian Grose, who gave a written statement. He said, quote,
Christian Gose (via statement): Steve Garvey will have an uphill climb in Democratic-leaning California. California voters are looking for a fresh face who is a Democrat, and Garvey is a Republican in his 70s.
Will Garvey hit a home run? Or will he strike-out as a Republican in a left-leaning state. Only time will tell.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Mia Russman.