The four leading candidates for Senator in California debated in San Diego on Monday, with the potential third presidential candidacy of Donald Trump looming large.
Three Democratic members of Congress — Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — faced Republican Steve Garvey, a retired baseball player, on Fox 5 San Diego.
Garvey was asked if he has spoken with Trump, and whether he would accept the former president’s endorsement. He said he hadn’t, but acceptance of any endorsement would be a “personal decision.”
The former Padres and Dodgers star accused “career politicians” of trying “to paint me into a corner” over support for Trump in the past and future.
“I did vote for him twice,” Garvey said. “I think it’s personal. I’ll make that decision when the time comes.”
The candidates were asked whether Trump or President Joe Biden are too old to hold office.
“Some people are unfit for office at any age and I put Donald Trump in that category,” said Schiff, who called Trump “the greatest threat that we have for democracy.”
Porter said Trump is ineligible to run for President because of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.
“Donald Trump engaged in an insurrection and should not be on the ballot,” Porter said.
Lee was equally critical of Trump, saying, “Donald Trump is a threat to our national security. He’s a threat to our democracy.”
The Democrats pointed to Biden’s legislative accomplishments as evidence that age is not an issue.
All three of the Democrats said that if they were in office, they would vote to certify an election, even if the winner was Donald Trump. And Garvey said he would vote to certify Biden if he was the winer.
