Schiff takes narrow lead in Senate race; tight contest for 2nd, new poll

[quaint]

LA Times

The fight for second place in California’s U.S. Senate race between Rep. Katie Porter and former Dodgers star Steve Garvey appears volatile as the March 5 primary approaches, according to the latest UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by The Times.

Schiff is backed by 21% of likely voters, compared with 17% supporting Porter and 13% for Garvey. Schiff and Porter were essentially tied in Berkeley’s poll in October.

[getagrip_already]

1. I'd much prefer if garvey was frozen out than porter.....

Either schiff or porter would be top notch senators. It's a shame they both can't have the job. But even having garvey on the ballot is painful.

Plus it might draw more republicans out for down ballot elections.

[lapfog_1]

2. I love Schiff and Porter

I wish there was a way to elect both of them.

California really should have 4 Senators

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. Schiff and Garvey have lots of money

Both take donations from corporations, lobbyists and PACs, Porter doesn’t.

[Indykatie]

5. Until the Rules Change For Everyone I Have No Problem With Taking Corp/Pac Money

Running for office, especially a Senate seat ain't cheap and the Dem shouldn't be handicapped because of lack of money. I'm a Schiff supporter but I feel this way about all Dem candidates. I'm still upset with Porter for campaigning for Nina Turner against Shontel Brown in her re-election race. There are probably other Dems who feel the same about Porter.

[crud]

4. I wonder

if it makes sense to vote strategically and freeze out Garvey

[Mr.Bill]

6. Even if Garvey finishes 2nd,

Porter's people will vote for Schiff in the general election. I like Porter, but her didtrict is not as safe as Schiff's. I'm okay with Senator Schiff and Congresswoman Porter. Garvey does not belong in the Senate.

[quaint]

7. Porter will not be in Congress unless she wins the Senate seat.

[Mr.Bill]

8. A little googling tells me

you are correct. Thanks.

[nbsmom]

9. And your point would be?

Pretty sure that “Schiff’s people” would vote for Porter. And what you blithely ignore is how disappointing it is to contemplate that California could end up with two white guys (who are more than okay with taking $$$ from healthcare and petroleum interests) on the November ballot. And no, Garvey does not belong in the Senate but California has been known to vote for the most famous candidate before (e.g., Governator and Reagan).

[Tumbulu]

10. Who is eligible to vote in this primary

All voters, all who are not registered Republican, or only registered Democrats?

And then who gets on the actual election ballot, the top two, whichever party they are in?

Thanks in advance for explaining.

[Retrograde]

11. Jungle primary

All candidates appear on the ballot, the top two go on to battle it out in November.

(BTW, your profile shows you as being in Northern California: you should know this, as California has been using this process since the early 2000s)

[quaint]

13. I'll try...

Democratic Party, letter dated October 19, 2023 adopted a party rule for March 5, 2024 permitting no party preference voters to request a party ballot in recent primary elections for partisan offices.

Yes, top two, regardless of party, move on to the general election.

I do not believe the Republican party is permitting NPP voters to vote in their March primary in California. I am unaware of any way to be a spoiler and still cast a vote for a Democratic senator.

[quaint]

15. Our political Party is holding a primary. Why would we want Republicans to vote?

That would make no sense. If you are NPP, we welcome your vote on a Democratic ballot.

[quaint]

17. This, to me, is bizarro srategy.

[quaint]

21. Terms of Service

Support Democrats
Do not post support for Republicans or independent/third-party "spoiler" candidates. Do not state that you are not going to vote, or that you will write-in a candidate that is not on the ballot, or that you intend to vote for any candidate other than the official Democratic nominee in any general election where a Democrat is on the ballot. Do not post anything that smears Democrats generally, or that is intended to dissuade people from supporting the Democratic Party or its candidates. Don't argue there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

[Retrograde]

18. No

The only office exempt from the jungle primary is a federal one - the presidency. That is the only partisan office on the primary ballot (aside from elected party officials, which are county based). The 6 recognized political parties in California can decide who may vote for their presidential candidates, but this is separate from all other statewide offices. And each of the six parties will have a candidate for president on the November ballot.

Your profile says you live in California. You should have received your state voters' guide by now, which lists all the state-wide contests everyone is eligible to vote in, namely Senate and propositions (and if not, you can see one online: the former Secretary of State (now US Senator Padilla) put together a website that has more information that most voters need on California election processes, and the current SoS has kept it up).

Do you remember the 2022 statewide election for senator? This year's senate primary is the same as that.

[Retrograde]

19. That should be "for presidential primaries"

All other primary elections come under the jungle primary umbrella.

The American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties are allowing voters registered as No Party Preference to vote in their presidential primaries this year; the Republican, Green, and Peace and Freedom parties limit their presidential primaries to members of those parties. Note that if you're planning to vote by mail and want to vote in the Democratic (or American Independent or Libertarian) primary you need to request* the appropriate ballot from your county. My county registrar - Santa Clara - is proactive and sent out a mailing to all NPP-registered voters back in December asking if they wanted any of these three presidential ballots.


*or rather, need to have requested, since ballots are being mailed on Monday

[Sibelius Fan]

22. At this point, Schiff has it wrapped up, so vote for Katie in the primary.

That will freeze out Garvey.