On the debate stage in California Monday night will be one candidate for U.S. Senate whose name may be less familiar to political wonks.
Steve Garvey, the leading Republican candidate vying for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, doesn’t have a career in elected office like his fellow front runners. His name is better known on the baseball diamond than on Capitol Hill.
Garvey, 75, grew up outside California but came to the Golden State when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968.
The first baseman played with the Dodgers until 1982 – even collecting a World Series win along the way – before moving a few hours south to play with the San Diego Padres. His nickname was “Mr. Clean,” according to MLB.com. Garvey’s MLB career spanned nearly two decades.
Outside of baseball, Garvey hosted a morning radio show, made a few TV show appearances (including one episode of “Baywatch”), and started a marketing firm, according to CalMatters.
His political involvement, until now, has largely involved fundraising for other candidates, CalMatters reports.
Garvey has touted that political outsider status in this run for U.S. Senate, his first time going for elected office. He laments violent crime, homelessness and “failing schools” in his statement written for the state voter guide and blames politicians for letting Californians down. His campaign promises include increasing funding for law enforcement, support for Israel and Ukraine, and investing in water-saving infrastructure.
But his Democratic opponents depict him as a political novice who is unprepared for the Senate at a time of global unrest. Garvey also has seen attacks on his character tied to 1980s sex scandals that sullied his reputation as “Mr. Clean,” the nickname that referred to his buttoned-down image from his Dodger days. At the time he admitted to having two children with women he wasn’t married to, then married another woman, his current wife.
He has said of those days, “I think our life is a journey. … I’ve gone through a difficult time here and there. I’ve learned from it.”
Garvey’s will be one of more than two dozen names to appear on the Senate primary ballot in California, though many of them are political unknowns. Under state rules, Democrats and Republicans appear on the same primary ballot and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of political party.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.