Schiff, Not Yet Elected as Senator, Already Champions Probable Future Peers
Schiff provided POLITICO with insights into his efforts to secure victories in various competitive House and Senate races.
TroibNews 
LOS ANGELES — Rep. Adam Schiff is now stepping into a new role as a supporting player following California’s marquee primary showdown for the state’s Senate seat. With a comfortable lead in the polls against his Republican opponent Steve Garvey, Schiff has focused much of his efforts on aiding fellow Democrats in more challenging races, including competitive House contests in California and vulnerable Senate incumbents elsewhere.
The congressmember from Burbank has raised over $7 million for various Democratic candidates and initiatives, including support for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and several party committees. His closing campaign schedule indicates a tour of California's swing House districts and multiple out-of-state trips to assist Democrats in critical Senate races.
Schiff’s ability to share the political spotlight highlights the advantage of running as a Democrat in deep-blue California, especially after spending tens of millions on campaign ads during the primary that successfully consolidated Republican support behind Garvey while avoiding a more contentious November battle with fellow Democratic Rep. Katie Porter.
“It was my sense that if I was in a Democrat-on-Democrat general election, I would have to be solely focused on my own race. It would be tens of millions of dollars spent in California for one Democrat to beat another,” Schiff said in an interview. “But I made the runoff with a Republican candidate. That gives me bandwidth to help others in addition to my own campaign.”
From a high-stakes primary, the Senate race has shifted to a quieter general election. Schiff dominated the media landscape earlier in the year, capturing over 40 percent of the estimated $75 million in advertising leading up to March 5.
The fall ad landscape appears markedly less active. Schiff has not yet made significant investments in advertising but has stated that his campaign will “definitely” engage in media. Garvey recently launched his first ad, part of a $2.5 million campaign investment.
Immediately after securing his place for November, Schiff used his extensive email list for fundraising efforts benefiting swing-state Democratic senators like Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. According to his team, he has raised upwards of $2 million for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, including a direct transfer of $1 million from his campaign just last week.
Schiff has hosted in-person fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco for various Senate candidates and has made appearances in campaign events in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He also has plans to travel to six other states before Election Day, including New Mexico, Michigan, and Nevada.
Though these trips signify a detour from Schiff's home base, political strategists highlight the clear advantages of building rapport with fellow Senate candidates.
“The race ended in March, so Senator-elect Schiff is doing exactly what he should to maximize his impact in the Senate,” noted Dan Newman, a Democratic strategist. “But Congress is a different beast,” he added. “Senator Schiff will be at the bottom of the seniority scale, needing colleagues to give him good committee assignments, pass his bills, etc.”
Johanna Warshaw, communications director for Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, expressed that Schiff has been particularly effective with fundraising appeals tied to their shared Jewish faith, a strategy that resonates well with donors.
“To have a partner like Congressman Schiff — who has the national network, has the national profile and name recognition — be willing to lend their name to our fundraising and help extend our donor network is super super helpful,” Warshaw said.
After establishing a robust fundraising operation as a prominent opponent of former President Donald Trump, Schiff has consistently shared his resources. In 2020, he allocated around $19 million to support President Joe Biden's campaign as well as various House and Senate races.
This election cycle, Schiff has focused on key House battlegrounds in California, believing his state could play a crucial role in maintaining a Democratic majority. He has attended events for state Sen. Dave Min and Derek Tran, two Democrats contesting challenging races in Orange County, as well as campaigning for longer-shot candidates like Jessica Morse, who is up against GOP incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley.
“I know what it's like to run in a race like Jessica’s,” Schiff stated. “I can make the case — you can win this.”
However, Schiff’s increased focus on supporting other campaigns, particularly those out of state, could lead some to perceive him as overly confident about his own race. Garvey's spokesperson expressed approval of Schiff’s efforts elsewhere, suggesting it indicates a lack of focus on California.
Garvey himself criticized Schiff on social media for his involvement in the Pennsylvania Senate race, stating that “it’s clear that Adam Schiff is running for Washington D.C., not California.” Schiff maintained that the Senate remains “his first priority” and asserted he is “running hard in California.”
“In every respect, I’m running more aggressively than the guy I’m running against,” Schiff remarked, likening Garvey’s efforts to an “18th century front porch campaign where you sat on the front porch and waited for people to come to you.”
Garvey’s spokesperson dismissed Schiff's characterization as “misinformation,” highlighting that Garvey outperformed Schiff in fundraising during the last filing period by $1.5 million.
“Adam obviously has been around for decades and has a machine. We started from literally scratch,” Shupe noted, adding that their campaign achievements reflect Garvey’s commitment and effort.
The former baseball star has actively engaged in local television interviews and made campaign stops throughout California, including less urban areas like Shasta and Colusa. Unlike Schiff, however, Garvey's campaign lacks direct connections to the fiercely contested House races driving significant financial contributions in the state.
In contrast, Schiff is linking many of his October events with frontline House Democrats. He is rounding out the election with a five-day get-out-the-vote tour that will cover nine House districts.
For Schiff, collaborating with House candidates not only supports the party's key races but also enhances his visibility in competitive regions of the state.
At a summer fundraiser for Tran, Schiff was celebrated as a standout figure in the party. Tran, introducing him, described Schiff as “the walking example of patriotism.” Their appearance attracted considerable attention from local Vietnamese-language media, crucial to a key voting demographic in the area.
When asked how Tran’s campaign affects his own, Schiff responded with a focus befitting his expected role as a senator.
“I want a Democratic House to work with,” he said.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
The congressmember from Burbank has raised over $7 million for various Democratic candidates and initiatives, including support for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and several party committees. His closing campaign schedule indicates a tour of California's swing House districts and multiple out-of-state trips to assist Democrats in critical Senate races.
Schiff’s ability to share the political spotlight highlights the advantage of running as a Democrat in deep-blue California, especially after spending tens of millions on campaign ads during the primary that successfully consolidated Republican support behind Garvey while avoiding a more contentious November battle with fellow Democratic Rep. Katie Porter.
“It was my sense that if I was in a Democrat-on-Democrat general election, I would have to be solely focused on my own race. It would be tens of millions of dollars spent in California for one Democrat to beat another,” Schiff said in an interview. “But I made the runoff with a Republican candidate. That gives me bandwidth to help others in addition to my own campaign.”
From a high-stakes primary, the Senate race has shifted to a quieter general election. Schiff dominated the media landscape earlier in the year, capturing over 40 percent of the estimated $75 million in advertising leading up to March 5.
The fall ad landscape appears markedly less active. Schiff has not yet made significant investments in advertising but has stated that his campaign will “definitely” engage in media. Garvey recently launched his first ad, part of a $2.5 million campaign investment.
Immediately after securing his place for November, Schiff used his extensive email list for fundraising efforts benefiting swing-state Democratic senators like Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. According to his team, he has raised upwards of $2 million for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, including a direct transfer of $1 million from his campaign just last week.
Schiff has hosted in-person fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco for various Senate candidates and has made appearances in campaign events in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He also has plans to travel to six other states before Election Day, including New Mexico, Michigan, and Nevada.
Though these trips signify a detour from Schiff's home base, political strategists highlight the clear advantages of building rapport with fellow Senate candidates.
“The race ended in March, so Senator-elect Schiff is doing exactly what he should to maximize his impact in the Senate,” noted Dan Newman, a Democratic strategist. “But Congress is a different beast,” he added. “Senator Schiff will be at the bottom of the seniority scale, needing colleagues to give him good committee assignments, pass his bills, etc.”
Johanna Warshaw, communications director for Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, expressed that Schiff has been particularly effective with fundraising appeals tied to their shared Jewish faith, a strategy that resonates well with donors.
“To have a partner like Congressman Schiff — who has the national network, has the national profile and name recognition — be willing to lend their name to our fundraising and help extend our donor network is super super helpful,” Warshaw said.
After establishing a robust fundraising operation as a prominent opponent of former President Donald Trump, Schiff has consistently shared his resources. In 2020, he allocated around $19 million to support President Joe Biden's campaign as well as various House and Senate races.
This election cycle, Schiff has focused on key House battlegrounds in California, believing his state could play a crucial role in maintaining a Democratic majority. He has attended events for state Sen. Dave Min and Derek Tran, two Democrats contesting challenging races in Orange County, as well as campaigning for longer-shot candidates like Jessica Morse, who is up against GOP incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley.
“I know what it's like to run in a race like Jessica’s,” Schiff stated. “I can make the case — you can win this.”
However, Schiff’s increased focus on supporting other campaigns, particularly those out of state, could lead some to perceive him as overly confident about his own race. Garvey's spokesperson expressed approval of Schiff’s efforts elsewhere, suggesting it indicates a lack of focus on California.
Garvey himself criticized Schiff on social media for his involvement in the Pennsylvania Senate race, stating that “it’s clear that Adam Schiff is running for Washington D.C., not California.” Schiff maintained that the Senate remains “his first priority” and asserted he is “running hard in California.”
“In every respect, I’m running more aggressively than the guy I’m running against,” Schiff remarked, likening Garvey’s efforts to an “18th century front porch campaign where you sat on the front porch and waited for people to come to you.”
Garvey’s spokesperson dismissed Schiff's characterization as “misinformation,” highlighting that Garvey outperformed Schiff in fundraising during the last filing period by $1.5 million.
“Adam obviously has been around for decades and has a machine. We started from literally scratch,” Shupe noted, adding that their campaign achievements reflect Garvey’s commitment and effort.
The former baseball star has actively engaged in local television interviews and made campaign stops throughout California, including less urban areas like Shasta and Colusa. Unlike Schiff, however, Garvey's campaign lacks direct connections to the fiercely contested House races driving significant financial contributions in the state.
In contrast, Schiff is linking many of his October events with frontline House Democrats. He is rounding out the election with a five-day get-out-the-vote tour that will cover nine House districts.
For Schiff, collaborating with House candidates not only supports the party's key races but also enhances his visibility in competitive regions of the state.
At a summer fundraiser for Tran, Schiff was celebrated as a standout figure in the party. Tran, introducing him, described Schiff as “the walking example of patriotism.” Their appearance attracted considerable attention from local Vietnamese-language media, crucial to a key voting demographic in the area.
When asked how Tran’s campaign affects his own, Schiff responded with a focus befitting his expected role as a senator.
“I want a Democratic House to work with,” he said.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
