Rep. Adam Schiff on Sunday dismissed complaints by a Democratic Party rival that the California Senate primary was rigged in his favor.
Mr. Schiff, a Burbank Democrat, came in first Tuesday in the state’s “jungle” primary, which includes candidates from all parties, and advanced to a November general election showdown with former baseball great Steve Garvey, a Republican, who finished second.
A day later, Rep. Katie Porter, the Irvine Democrat who finished third, complained that the primary was “rigged.”
“She congratulated me, which I certainly viewed as a concession,” Mr. Schiff said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “She was very gracious in her message to me, and I appreciated the call.”
Democrats have ripped Ms. Porter, who is serving her third term in the House, for using what critics say is the same rhetoric Republicans use to impugn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The congresswoman said last week that “‘rigged’ means manipulated by dishonest means” with expensive attack ads against her.
“Defending democracy means calling that out,” Ms. Porter said.
Mr. Schiff didn’t appear to buy her explanation.
“I’ve been on both sides of elections, winning and losing them, and it’s tough,” he said.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.