Schiff holds clear lead in CA Senate race with Garvey, Porter and Lee in a dead heat

LOS ANGELES — Rep. Adam Schiff holds a clear lead in the race to represent California in the U.S. Senate, according to a new POLITICO | Morning Consult poll, leaving him well-positioned to advance after the upcoming March primary.

The fiercer fight is for the number two spot in the general election, with Republican Steve Garvey and Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee in a dead heat. Garvey has positioned himself as a Trump-agnostic moderate, while Porter and Lee are more closely associated than Schiff with their party’s progressive wing.

The scramble for second place will determine whether the November election will erupt into a protracted intraparty battle between two Democrats or a more lopsided red-versus-blue contest in staunchly liberal California.

Schiff, the 12-term Democrat from Burbank, leads with 28 percent of likely voters, including those who are undecided but leaning toward supporting him. Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Garvey follows with 19 percent, while Porter has 17 percent and Lee notches 14 percent — a statistical three-way tie.

Republicans James Bradley and Eric Early lag behind with 7 percent apiece, while Christina Pascucci, a Democrat and former news anchor, is at 4 percent.

The findings show a notable bump for Garvey from previous polls of the race. Since he declared his candidacy in October, he has kept a minimal campaign presence with limited public appearances. The top Democrats, meanwhile, have been criss-crossing the state most of the year to woo their party’s base.

Breaking into the top two would be a coup for California Republicans, who have struggled in statewide races and risk being locked out of the contest in November if Garvey is unable to consolidate enough GOP voters.

Schi