In a surprising turn of events, former Major League Baseball player Steve Garvey has surpassed U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff in California's U.S. Senate primary race. Despite the November runoff having been determined, Garvey's slim lead of just 4,801 votes over Schiff has caught the attention of political observers.

With over 5 million votes tallied, accounting for about 85% of expected returns, Garvey's unexpected rise puts him in direct competition with Schiff, a prominent Democrat in the U.S. House. The upcoming November election will determine who succeeds the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

California's primary ballot includes candidates from all parties, sending the top two vote-getters to the general election. While there is still uncertainty about Garvey's position as the leader, the former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres star is seizing the moment to highlight his campaign message of unity, common sense, and compassion.

Expressing gratitude for the support received, Garvey said in a statement on Wednesday, "As California's votes are counted, it's clear that our message resonates across the state. I am deeply honored by the trust and support shown in these preliminary results. Our campaign aims to bring together Californians from all walks of life to address our shared challenges."

The final outcome of the race hinges on the counting of all mail-in ballots, including those postmarked on the previous Tuesday. Garvey's unexpected surge has surprised political analysts who initially predicted a substantial lead for Schiff, with Garvey and Democratic Rep. Katie Porter in a close race for second place.

As of Wednesday morning, Porter holds approximately 15% of the counted votes. Given that Republicans account for just one in four voters in California, experts suggest that Garvey will need to build a coalition with other groups to remain competitive. The Republican party has not won a statewide race in California since 2006, making Garvey's progress even more noteworthy.

The outcome of the California Senate primary has captured the attention of political observers, as Garvey's unexpected rise opens up possibilities for the general election. As the race continues and the mail-in ballots are counted, the state's political landscape may see significant adjustments, potentially challenging long-standing party dynamics.