SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dodger legend Steve Garvey visited Sacramento and got an up close look at the homeless crisis happening in the region, as part of his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
According to a recent poll, the 10-time All-Star trails behind Democratic candidates and U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Garvey, who is running as a Republican candidate, is optimistic about his growing support and says he’s committed to being a voice for all Californians.
“My commitment in running for this race is to see and to touch and to feel and to listen to Californians and today we listened to the homeless,” Garvey said.
Garvey met and spoke with people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento, fielding questions from them about what he plans to do to help them transition from living on the streets.
The baseball legend spent 19 seasons playing for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He helped the Dodgers capture the 1981 World Series and, after his playing days were over, he started the Garvey Marketing group and got involved with multiple nonprofits.
“I’m not a career politician. I think career politicians have failed the people of California and if given a chance, I don’t think they can defend any of the crucial issues that face us in California today and I’ve listened,” Garvey noted.
Schiff, Porter and Lee have also acknowledged the need to address the critical issue of homelessness. They’ve all called for more investments by the federal government in affordable housing and services.
However, Garvey notes there needs to be more accountability when it comes to homelessness spending.
“I want a deeper dive into accountability. Career politicians don’t want to come here anymore. It’s easy to have a bill, to sign off on it and they’ve thrown money on it and that’s it,” he adds.
Though Garvey couldn’t specify what exactly accountability will look like stating those are the answers a U.S. Senator would be able to find out.
Garvey will travel to the Bay Area next to meet with members of the Jewish community. He will then return to Southern California to prepare for the first live U.S. Senate debate on Monday.
Schiff, Porter, Lee and Garvey will all take the stage to make their case to be California’s next senator.
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