In the race for California's U.S. Senate seat, Republican underdog Steve Garvey is facing both challenges and unexpected support from unlikely sources. The former baseball player's chances depend heavily on attracting enough Republican votes in California's primary to secure a spot in the November general election ballot. However, his prospects were shaken by Donald Trump's resounding victory in the New Hampshire primary.

Garvey's goal is to finish second in the California primary, which would qualify him for the runoff election regardless of party affiliation. To achieve this, he needs a strong Republican turnout, and nothing unites Republican voters more than Democratic attacks on their candidate. By being the target of criticism from his Democratic opponents in a recent televised debate, Garvey unintentionally received a boost among Republican voters who view this as a sign that he is the preferred candidate.

Ideally, Garvey would have benefited from a defeat for Trump or a close second-place finish for Nikki Haley in South Carolina's primary, scheduled for February 24. As South Carolina is considered strong Trump territory, a significant victory for the former president would solidify his chances of securing the Republican nomination, potentially undermining Garvey's path to the Senate.

Garvey's campaign hinges on projecting the California primary as a competitive race, as a foregone conclusion could discourage Republican voter turnout. With Democrats outnumbering Republicans 2 to 1 in the state, the GOP candidate needs his party's base to show up in large numbers to secure a top-two finish and advance to the general election.

In the first Senate debate, Rep. Adam Schiff emerged as the Democratic front-runner, bolstered by his steady performance. Garvey finds himself in a close contest for the second spot with Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, while Rep. Barbara Lee remains within striking distance. Undecided voters further complicate the race.

Remarkably, Garvey's Democratic opponents inadvertently made his case to Republican voters during the debate. By criticizing Garvey, they inadvertently sent a message to Republicans to consolidate their support behind him. Though experts acknowledge that Garvey is unlikely to secure the Senate seat, his presence on the stage and a potential second-place finish prevents Porter and Lee from challenging Schiff directly in the November election.

California has not seen a Republican win a statewide race since 2006, adding to the uphill battle for Garvey. However, his refusal to commit to voting for Trump in this election, despite having supported him twice before, has drawn criticism from some quarters. Yet, analysts argue that Republican voters are less influenced by media critique and are more interested in having a prominent Republican candidate voice their ideals in the Senate race.

Overall, Steve Garvey faces a tough road ahead in California's U.S. Senate race, caught between Democratic opposition and the implications of Trump's primary victory. The outcome of the March 5 primary will determine whether Garvey secures a spot in the highly anticipated November runoff, shaping the future of the Senate race and California politics as a whole.