He faces three formidable Democratic challengers: Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Garvey is highlighting his status as a political outsider, but all three of his opponents are polished politicians. Schiff and Porter also boast impressive fundraising machines that will help carry their message to California’s 20 million voters.

Schiff, the frontrunner, brought in $6.2 million last quarter, bringing his total cash on hand to $35 million. Porter brought in $3 million and has $13.2 million in cash. Garvey, by comparison, started 2024 with about $308,000 in his pocket.

Garvey, who appeared on American televisions frequently throughout the 1970s and 1980s, did not contribute any of his own money to his campaign, according to federal election filings. Nor did he report any contributions from celebrity friends — aside from former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, who donated $1,000. Orange County Republican Party Chair Fred Whitaker also contributed $1,000.

After months of lying low, Garvey has started campaigning in earnest, traversing the state to talk about homelessness, public safety and concerns about rising antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war. He has yet to make any ad buys.

He did, however, pay his son, Ryan Garvey, $13,000 for campaign consulting services, according to filings.