Republican Steve Garvey has commitment issues.

The professional baseball slugger who retired in 1988 and is making a run for the U.S. Senate has not taken positions on most policies. Garvey also won’t say how he’ll vote for president. Instead, he has been counting on his fading sports celebrity to carry him into the fall runoff.

That could all change Monday night.

The first-time candidate has his first real chance to illuminate Californians under Klieg lights when he joins three Democratic members of Congress in the race’s first TV debate. The event is hosted by POLITICO, Fox 11 Los Angeles and the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for the Political Future.

Garvey’s inexperience and wildcard status in the race to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein are among the debate night’s most intriguing storylines. It’s a blessing — and potentially a curse — for 2024’s most prominent tabula rasa.

© Politico