Trump urges California GOP US Senate candidate Garvey to reach out for endorsement: ‘No chance’ without MAGA

Former President Trump told reporters on Friday that California Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey “hasn’t reached out to MAGA” after the presidential nominee was asked why he hadn’t endorsed Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff’s opponent. 

“I don’t know much about Steve Garvey. I think he’s made a big mistake because he hasn’t reached out to MAGA,” Trump said outside his Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes following a press conference where he spoke out against “Comrade Kamala Harris and the communist left.”  

He said if the former Major League Baseball star Garvey “doesn’t have MAGA, he has no chance.” 

Trump was fundraising in California Thursday and Friday. 

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Former President Trump said Friday that California Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey made a “big mistake” not reaching out to him for an endorsement. (Reuters/Getty)

“Well, I haven’t spoken to him,” Trump added of Garvey. “I’m hearing he wants the MAGA endorsement, but he’s got to call me. If he had the MAGA endorsement, he could win. If you had an honest election he’d win, but you don’t have an honest election.” 

Garvey previously told FOX 11 he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. 

He told Fox News Digital in a statement, “Since day one, I’ve ran a different type of campaign, I have not taken or asked for a single political endorsement. The only endorsements I want are from the law enforcement community and first responders. This week, we launched a historic campaign dedicating all of our resources to talk with California’s Latino community from now until the election.

“My focus is, and always has been, on the issues that truly matter to Californians — affordability, public safety, securing the border, fixing the homelessness crisis and restoring California’s leadership. I’m running a ‘Steve Garvey’ campaign for all the people of California, not for partisan or special interests. I’m committed to tackling the challenges that families and communities face every day and making sure that California has the voice it deserves in Washington.” 

Republican Steve Garvey, right, is running against Democrat Adam Schiff, left, in California’s U.S. Senate race.  (Getty Images)

Trump also disparaged Schiff as “one of the sleaziest politicians in history, Crooked Adam Schiff. He’s one of the most disgusting human beings and to think he’s going to be a senator. That’s why you need me as president, because this guy is a sleazebag.” 

He called it “impossible to believe” Schiff could represent the area. 

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The former president has long disliked the Los Angeles-area congressman, who served as the lead impeachment manager in Trump’s first Senate trial and was a vocal critic throughout his presidency. 

Former President Trump speaks during a news conference at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Friday.  (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Schiff responded to Trump’s comments about him on X, writing, “I don’t think he likes me.”

“Steve Garvey’s a nice guy. I don’t know him at all,” Trump told reporters. “But if he doesn’t reach out to MAGA, he has absolutely no chance.” 

Schiff is heavily favored to win in the deep blue state that hasn’t had a Republican senator since John Seymor lost his election in 1992. 

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The most recent Real Clear Politics polling average has Schiff leading Garvey 57.3% to 33%. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump and Schiff campaigns for comment.