Rep. Adam Schiff, in his race for California’s open U.S. Senate seat, now has the backing of every House Democrat who represents Orange County, with the exception of Rep. Katie Porter who is also running in the race.
The latest endorsement came from Rep. Lou Correa, who announced his support for Schiff Thursday morning, Jan. 25.
“I feel good in saying I’ve endorsed a good friend, an old friend, that we have worked together on issues for over 15 years,” said Correa.
Correa had praise for all three of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate race — Schiff from Burbank, Porter from Irvine and Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland — noting that he tries to stay out of primary races, “especially when it’s primaries among friends.”
But Schiff, Correa said, supports taxpayer equity for Orange County and requests for earmarks, the budget process by which individual members of Congress can bypass the federal government’s regular spending process and request money for local groups or needs. (Among the three House Democrats in the race, Porter doesn’t request earmarks and is vocally opposed, saying members can request funding for projects that benefit them rather than their districts.)
Schiff has also supported Correa’s legislative efforts to ensure businesses are compensated when negatively impacted by a major transit or highway project, the Orange County congressman said.
“He’s the guy who stepped up,” Correa said.
Reps. Mike Levin of San Juan Capistrano and Linda Sánchez of Whittier have also backed Schiff in the race. They, along with Correa, are among the 70% of California’s Democratic congressional delegation who have endorsed Schiff, according to Schiff’s campaign.
Other Orange County Democrats backing the Burbank Democrat include state Sen. Tom Umberg, Assemblymembers Blanca Pacheco and Avelino Valencia, County Supervisor Doug Chaffee and Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken.
A spokesperson for Porter’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The three House Democrats are among a crowded slate of candidates vying for the seat, long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in the March 5 primary. Other contenders include Republican Steve Garvey, a businessman and former Los Angeles Dodger; Democrat Christina Pascucci, a former KTLA 5 reporter; and Republican Eric Early, an attorney.
“Californians are tired of politicians who pay lip service to issues like housing and homelessness, but won’t secure the resources needed to address these challenges head-on,” said Marisol Samayoa, a spokesperson for Schiff’s campaign. “That’s why Orange County leaders … overwhelmingly back (Schiff) in this Senate race because they know Californians deserve a senator who will deliver results, not more talking points.”
Polling from Emerson College ahead of the Senate debate showed Schiff maintains a substantial lead over the rest of the field, with Garvey in second. Monday was the first televised debate of the election cycle for Lee, Porter, Schiff and Garvey; another has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 12, hosted by KTLA.
