Election 2024: What Adam Schiff, Steve Garvey said to supporters on election night
Rep. Adam Schiff quickly soared to victory in California’s U.S. Senate race Tuesday, coming out ahead of former Dodgers star Steve Garvey.
The contest was called by the Associated Press and other news organizations as soon as the polls closed in California. Garvey, addressing his supporters in Rancho Mirage, congratulated Schiff on the win. The Burbank congressman, in turn, told his crowd in Los Angeles that he wishes Garvey well and will “join him in celebrating” the Dodgers’ recent World Series win.
Both Garvey and Schiff had more to say — about the race for the open seat and their messages to voters. Take a look at their election night speeches below, as provided by their campaigns.
Adam Schiff spoke to supporters in Los Angeles Tuesday night. He was introduced by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas.
Hello California! And thank you to Speaker Rob Rivas. We are so lucky to have Rob Rivas as our Speaker of the State Assembly, are we not? Isn’t he incredible? It is such a delight to be here with you tonight.
And before I begin, I want to acknowledge my opponent Steve Garvey. I know it’s not easy to be a candidate for any office. It’s hard on you, it’s hard on your loved ones, and I wish him well. And I join him in celebrating the Dodgers amazing win over the Yankees.
Tonight, I am especially grateful to the millions of Californians who put their faith in me. I also find myself thinking about Senator Dianne Feinstein who was a friend and mentor, and as long as I knew her, she was a giant in the U.S. Senate. Nobody will be able to fill Dianne’s immense shoes, but her memory will be my guide.
And, tonight, I’m so humbled to be your next United States Senator. Thank you, California.
I will spend every day trying to repay the trust that you have placed in me by serving this Golden State with all of my heart and soul. Thank you, California.
Tonight is going to be a very long night. We won’t know the result of every race. We will need to be patient.
And whatever the result of the presidential race, we know there will be serious challenges facing the state of California and the country.
Regardless of the outcome, regardless of the way people may have voted, I want to make one thing clear: as your Senator, I am committed to standing up for every Californian.
I am committed to taking on the big fights to protect our freedoms and to protect our democracy.
California will continue to be at the forefront of progress. The bulwark of democracy. The champion of innovation. And the protector of our rights and freedoms.
We are a big, beautiful, diverse, and generous state. We look out for each other. We stand up for each other. We extend our hands to lift up each other. We celebrate and appreciate our different backgrounds and cultures.
I’ve seen it firsthand. From the first day I launched this campaign, to the visits I have made to nearly every corner of the Golden State.
From meeting with local leaders in the border community of Calexico to seeing the restoration of the redwoods north of Willits, I’ve met with the most amazing people all across California. I’ve listened to your concerns, I’ve heard your fears. I’ve shared your hopes and imagined the future that you want to see for yourselves and your children.
And because of this, every day, I woke up energized and hopeful. In Bakersfield, I met with entrepreneurs who turned their passion into successful small businesses that have lifted up their communities.
In Salinas, I heard from farmworkers who toiled in the fields from sunrise to sundown, rain or shine, to ensure that families across the country had food on their tables.
In Oakland, I felt the joy and energy of the early morning service at Allen Temple Baptist Church.
In Merced, I sat down with college students and heard about the careers they were building for themselves.
In Lakewood, I saw firsthand the hard and rewarding labor of childcare providers. I witnessed their patience, their kindness, and the love they bring to their work.
Our state has its struggles, like every state. But none are insurmountable. Because we are the Golden State. And we get big things done. And my promise to you is that I’m going to deliver day one, week one, year one, and keep on delivering for this amazing state.
Because together, there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. We leave no community behind.
We do not stop, we do not rest, until all our citizens have a safe place to live, clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, safe neighborhoods to raise their children, good hospitals, clinics and healthcare, and the best public schools in the world.
In pursuit of this dream for all our people, I will not rest, California.
In the Senate, I will be a champion and a voice for all Californians.
Whether you voted for me or not. Whether you live in a big city or a small county. Whether you grew up here or came to America searching for a better life.
We are going to build more affordable housing so that you aren’t forced to choose between your rent and putting food on the table.
We are going to ensure that our fellow neighbors do not have to sleep on the street. We are going to help hardworking families by lowering costs.
We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect abortion access and defend democracy and our freedoms.
We are going to bring resources and jobs back to the Golden State to create opportunity for all Californians.
We’re going to fight on behalf of our Dreamers, our farmworkers, and our immigrant families so they no longer have to live in the shadows.
We are going to protect our planet, fight climate change, and bring good-paying, green jobs here to California.
It is a big task, I know, but we can do it because we are going to do it together. I am determined to fight every single day on behalf of this great state. And it’s great people.
And I’m so thankful for your trust and support. And I can’t wait to do this job with you together.
I want to thank my incredible wife, Eve. And yes, we are Adam and Eve. My kids, Lexi and Eli. Lexi’s boyfriend, Eric, gets a shoutout. My brother, Daniel, and his wife, Amy. My brother David and his family, my nieces and my nephews, and of course, the one the world revolves around, baby Maya. I could not have done this without your endless love and support, and it’s so wonderful to get to celebrate with you tonight.
Eve, I don’t know where to begin, but this Adam would be lost without this Eve. I love you, and I’m grateful to you for your strength and love.
Lexi and Eli, being your dad is my favorite job in the world. I love you, and I am so proud of you.
And I also want to acknowledge my mother and father, Sherrill and Ed Schiff. While they are no longer with us, I wouldn’t be standing here but not for their love, guidance, and support. My father lived to be 96 and passed earlier this year and I so wish he could be here tonight. Dad, give mom a hug, and tell her I hope she’s still not upset with me for not being a doctor.
I also want to thank every volunteer and supporter who made calls, sent texts, knocked on doors, and chipped in a few bucks. Because your hard work not only made this Senate race possible, but you are going to deliver the House of Representative majority to Hakeem Jeffries tonight.
And I want to thank Nancy Pelosi, the greatest of all time. The most incredible Speaker in our history. For her friendship, her mentorship, her leadership. There was no one who stood more in the breach, defending our democracy than Nancy Pelosi, and I thank you.
We set out to build the largest grassroots campaign in California history, and I think we hit the mark.
To my wonderful staff, I thank you. You are all dedicated public servants who have committed countless hours, nights, weekends to this effort. And this victory is also yours.
To my wonderful constituents in the 30th Congressional District, who have supported me for over 25 years. I cannot thank you enough for your confidence and the honor of representing you. I hope that I have served you well and made you proud.
And to my new constituents all over the state, whether you voted for me or not, I am committed to being a champion for every Californian in every corner of this wonderful state.
California, I thank you for your trust. I am grateful to serve as your United States Senator.
Now, let’s get to work. Thank you, California. Thank you, everyone. God bless this state and country. Thank you so much.
Steve Garvey addressed supporters at a ballroom at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. He was introduced by Jeff Gonzalez, a candidate for the 36th Assembly district.
Thank you Assembly Candidate Jeff Gonzalez for that kind introduction. And thank you all for being here tonight.
Now I’m assuming that the blue I’m seeing in the audience tonight … is not because you are at the wrong party — but because you are celebrating the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Winning the 2024 World Series is an awesome achievement that will always be remembered and celebrated. But, I’ll tell you from personal experience back in 1981, that when it involves beating the New York Yankees — it’s all the sweeter.
In baseball, like in many professional sports, there’s a tradition of members of the opposing team to congratulate the winners. Often times with a handshake on the field or even a visit to the opponent’s clubhouse.
In that same spirit I congratulate Congressman Adam Schiff on his victory. Using their enormous power the voters have elected him the next US Senator from California. And I respect that and wish him good choices for all of the people in the years to come.
I want you to know that despite the outcome that when the counting is over we will have gotten the 4th most number of votes in the country. This means that everyone in California does have a voice. And it will only grow louder and louder.
As you have been following — our fellow citizens around the country have been wielding their enormous power as well. We may have lost a battle but we are winning the war.
I formally entered this political campaign just over a year ago. The first person that I mentioned that day is the first person that I’ll acknowledge and thank with all my heart tonight — my wife of 35 years, Candace.
The support and encouragement that she gave me during the campaign was just like the love and care that she gives our family everyday — unlimited and unwavering.
Candace you always had my back and were always at my side. I love you.
It’s clear to me now that no one can confidently campaign for public office without the emotional support of their family.
Our kids gave me that gift every day during my campaign — whether by their encouragement and thoughts on a phone call or text message or working as part of the team. Your father is proud of you and grateful to you.
Every candidate has a campaign organization.
I want everyone to know that in my case I began with individual staff and advisors — who quickly became a team and then part of my family. I applaud their effort, savvy and commitment to everything that I and the campaign stood for.
Also please join with me in recognizing all those here tonight who have answered the call in our military, law enforcement, firefights and paramedics. Thank you for your service.
And finally to you the voters.
I want to sincerely thank you for your support and vote. It was an honor to be your nominee.
And represent you around this great state of ours. To discuss the issues and ideas that we care about most — the cost of living, fixing our homeless crises, making our communities safe, improving our public schools and securing our border.
Your vote for me in this General Election was not against someone, but a demand that California becomes the heartbeat of America again. And that our country gets back on track again — to achieve great things and lead the world.
Our campaign was never about political opportunity or party politics — it was always about the common cause. In other words, what’s good for all of the people.
Our campaign stood on principles — that were fueled by the values of common sense, compassion and consensus.
And, our campaign didn’t follow the all too common path of pandering and rhetoric filled lists of unachievable policies and unworkable positions.
Instead, we took a stand on issues that impact Californians at their kitchen tables and in their daily life. And in doing so went to the front lines of these issues to listen and better understand — just like an effective Senator would do when serving in office.
It was a heartbreaking experience to visit homeless camps at The Alpha Project in San Diego, Skid Row and the Dream Center in Los Angeles, as well as in Sacramento.
I can tell you that none of the homeless men and women I spoke to asked me if I was a Democrat or Republican. In their dire straight, they were interested in results — not politics.
You know — homelessness has increased 15% in our state over the past year. And that’s after spending more than $25 billion. Like you I want to know how that money was spent. And I for one intend to find out.
How can we be satisfied with the huge spending and unaccountable lack of progress in truly helping these people?
It was shocking to see what’s happening at our southern border and to speak to US border patrol agents. Its undeniably a humanitarian crisis and a very real security threat because of drug cartels, criminals and terrorists crossing the border.
How can so many in our government have turned a blind eye to this catastrophe?
And it was crushing to see the sites of the October 7th barbaric and unjustified attacks at the Kfar Aza Kibbutz and The Nova Music Festival in Israel as well as meeting in the family home of hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal. And it was distressing to be reminded that Americans were still being held hostage — which they are to this very day.
On the other hand, it was inspiring to meet with the Israel Defense Force and hear first-hand their determination to eliminate the terrorist threat.
How can so many politicians not fully stand with our friend and ally Israel as they defend themselves against terrorists?
And it was moving to travel this state from Chula Vista to Fresno to Redding and listen to Californians. Hearing about their dreams as well as their disappointments. And coming away admiring their grit and determination and unbounding faith that we can and will do better.
How can so many career politicians not understand the people’s desire for opportunity — security — and prosperity?
I fell in love with California, since my first day when I arrived on September 1,1969, when I was a rookie with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And want it to once again be the heartbeat of America.
And I want the American Dream to live on and thrive. Because as the great Ronald Reagan once said — “As long as that dream lives, as long as we continue to defend it, America has a future, and all mankind has reason to hope.”
Thank you again.
God bless you and God Bless America.