San Gabriel Valley Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, her endorsement of Adam Schiff for the U.S. Senate amid polls showing Schiff in the lead but Republican Steve Garvey making inroads in the race.
Schiff, a longtime congresswoman who has represented the neighboring congressional district to the west since 2001, has worked with Chu for a decade as part of California’s congressional delegation.
“From working together to help workers during COVID to expanding LGBTQ rights and combating anti-AAPIhate, Adam has been a real partner, and that will continue in the Senate. Californians will benefit greatly from having him fighting for them in the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to support him,” said Chu, whose neighboring 28th District spans local cities from Pasadena to Claremont.
Among her choices for endorsing included others competing with Schiff for the Senate seat, including Democratic Reps. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Barbara Lee, D-Oakland. Republican Steve Garvey, the former L.A. Dodger and San Diego Padres first-baseman, is also running for the seat.
The seat had been held by Dianne Feinstein, who died in September at age 90.
Chu’s endorsement comes at a pivotal time in the race, with the March 5 primary rapidly approaching and multiple poles showing Garvey, who joined the sprint late, gaining traction in what was long thought to be an intra-party dual in California’s top-two (from any party) primary. The top two would then move on to the general election.
A Politico poll of 858 California likely voters found 28% favored Schiff, 19% Garvey, 17% Porter and 14% Lee, putting Schiff further ahead in a race other polls have shown to be closer among leading Democrats.
A SurveyUSA poll found Schiff at 22%, Garvey at 15% and Porter and Lee at 12% each.
Schiff expressed confidence and gratitude in the wake of Chu’s nod.
“I’ve been fortunate to work very closely with her in Congress, and when I amin the Senate, we’ll keep working together to create a better future for the Golden State,” he said in a statement, adding that he now has 70% of the California Democratic congressional delegation supporting his campaign, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.