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The post was previously held by Diane Feinstein, who passed last year, for more than three decades.

Schiffs and Garveys advancement marks a new era in Californian politics. It presents a rare opportunity for the GOP to compete for a Senate seat in a Democratic stronghold, where a Republican hasnt won in the state since 2006.

Its also a win for Schiff, who spent over 30 million dollars on ads that attacked Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers player. Schiff, the lead prosecutor in Donald Trumps first impeachment trial, frequently drew comparisons between Garvey and Trump.

Representative Katie Porter, an Orange County Democrat that finished in third place, accused Schiff of boosting Garveys name recognition to avoid a runoff, a close election with another Democrat. Under California primary rules, the top two vote-getters regardless of party face each other in the fall.

It will be the first time in over 30 years that California will not have a woman in the Senate.

As Schiff celebrated his victory on Tuesday night, protestors calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip interrupted proceedings.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Schiff leads with 33.2% of the votes and Garvey close behind with 32.5%, according to AP News. Nearly half of the votes cast in California have been counted.

For Annenberg Media, Im Yana Savitsky.

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Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey advance in the California Senate race - uscannenbergmedia.com

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FAYETTEVILLE -- The University of Arkansas football team faces considerable challenges to return to competitiveness in the SEC in 2024 after posting a 4-8 record last season, including a 1-7 mark in SEC play.

For starters, fifth-year Coach Sam Pittman and his staff have to be organized and on point for the 15 practices of spring ball, which start today on the UA practice fields.

There is competition in store at positions across the board even though four starters are back on offense and seven on defense.

Receivers Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa and offensive linemen Josh Braun and Patrick Kutas return on offense. Tight end Luke Hasz, who had won a starting job as a true freshman before suffering a broken collarbone in Week 5, is also back.

On defense, second-year coordinator Travis Williams will open with some starting depth with end Landon Jackson, tackles Cam Ball and Eric Gregory and defensive backs Jaylon Braxton, Hudson Clark, Jayden Johnson and Lorando Johnson returning. But there is critical playing time to be accounted for at linebacker and with depth all over the roster.

For the first time in the Pittman era, there is not a defined starter at quarterback heading into the spring. Transfer Feleipe Franks assumed that role over redshirt freshman KJ Jefferson after coming in for the 2020 season, then Jefferson held that spot in an unquestioned manner each of the past three years.

The Razorbacks took a step back statistically on offense from the previous Pittman years. The Hogs had a dysfunctional rushing attack that accounted for just 3.5 yards per carry and 139 yards per game, and a passing game that completed 64.1% of its passes for 2,250 yards (an average of 187.5 per game) with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions for coordinators Dan Enos and Kenny Guiton.

Enos was fired after an unsightly 7-3 home loss to Mississippi State that made the postseason a longshot. Guiton had a strong debut in the Hogs' 39-36 overtime win at Florida, the program's first win at Gainesville, Fla., but the Hogs lapsed back into their struggles the rest of the way and Guiton took a position coaching wide receivers at Wisconsin.

Pittman brought aboard former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino to handle the offense and he is working with holdover running backs coach Jimmy Smith and tight ends coach Morgan Turner, plus new offensive line coach Eric Mateos and receivers coach Ronnie Foutch.

It is on that side of the ball where most of the top five questions facing the Razorbacks in spring practice reside:

1. How will the offensive line sort out?

Because so much will flow from how this unit comes together, this is the most important question facing Arkansas football this spring. The Razorbacks had a chance to bring back three starters on this unit, but left tackle Devon Manuel hopped in the transfer portal and then left tackle Andrew Chamblee decided he would no longer be a Razorback.

The upshot is only one player -- guard Josh Braun -- could be in the same position he held last season. The coaching staff has decided to move Patrick Kutas, an eight-game starter at right tackle who also got one start at center, into the interior. Holdovers E'Marion Harris and Ty'Kieast Crawford are still at tackle, where they will do battle with transfers Keyshawn Blackstock and Fernando Carmona.

Transfer Addison Nichols, who was offered a scholarship by Pittman at Georgia as a high school sophomore years ago, will be in a position battle at center with Amaury Wiggins and others.

The Razorbacks must have better cohesion, a more physical presence and better depth here than last season to give themselves any shot at improvements.

2. Who will win the quarterback battle?

The mostly likely scenario is the eventual starter will be either junior Jacolby Criswell, the Morrillton High School standout who transferred in from North Carolina prior to last season, or junior transfer Taylen Green. A Lewisville, Texas, native, Green has earned more college playing time with action in 28 games over two-plus seasons at Boise State, where he completed 287 of 483 passes (59.4%) for 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The 6-6 Green also rushed for 1,024 yards and accounted for 38 touchdowns, 19 passing and 19 rushing.

Criswell saw limited action behind Jefferson last season, completing 63% of his passes. The 6-1, 232-pounder is 35-of-58 passing (60.3%) for 347 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception in 19 career games.

Redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton and true freshman KJ Jackson give Petrino two other options, along with former Arkansas pitcher Austin Ledbetter, who traded his spikes for cleats over the winter.

3. Can defensive coordinator Travis Williams find linebackers?

The transfer portal was hot at this spot over the winter, with Chris Paul, Jordan Crook, Jaheim Thomas and Mani Powell all hitting the exit and former Georgia 5-star composite signee Xavian Sorey heading to Arkansas.

Top holdovers Brad Spence, Alex Sanford and Carson Dean give Williams a solid starting point, but the Hogs must have more numbers. The coaches have asked athlete signee Juju Pope, a 6-0, 203-pounder from South Panola, Miss., to give linebacker a whirl so this spring will be a good litmus test for him.

No matter how the current linebacker numbers shake out during spring, this will be a position of need for the spring portal period.

4. Can the Razorbacks find difference-makers up front defensively?

The return of Landon Jackson at defensive end, along with tackles Eric Gregory, Cam Ball and Keivie Rose, is a strong starting point for position coach Deke Adams.

However, the Hogs must compile more quality depth at both positions after running a little short at these spots last season. Charlie Collins was one of the top signees in the class, but is the 6-5, 252-pounder ready for SEC rigors? Nico Davillier, Quincy Rhodes Jr. and Ian Geffrard need to make big jumps into contributor roles to help this position along. And the Razorbacks will be back in the portal after spring to supplement the spots again.

5. Can Arkansas find more quality wideouts?

Andrew Armstrong emerged into a solid lead receiver last season with 56 catches for 764 yards and 5 touchdowns, but the production behind him was spotty, particularly after the loss of tight end Luke Hasz in Week 5.

Isaac TeSlaa had his moments, but the Razorbacks will need a lot more than the 34 catches for 351 yards and 2 touchdowns he supplied.

Pittman said one of the winter's most pleasant surprises has been Tyrone Broden, (15-109, 3) who transferred in from Bowling Green before last season.

Isaiah Sategna has speed to burn but has to command more targets. Jaedon Wilson and second-year players Davion Dozier and Dazmin James have the height and size to do good things, so who will be expected to emerge to impact the rotation.

Signees CJ Brown and Jordan Anthony also have opportunities to make things happen in the Petrino offense.

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Plenty of questions face Hogs in spring | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Arkansas Online

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A largely unknown Democrat surprised many on Tuesday when he won the Democratic caucuses in American Samoa over President Biden. 

Jason Palmer, who describes himself on his campaign website as an “impact investor” and entrepreneur, won American Samoa’s Democratic contest against his party’s standard-bearer.

While Biden has faced some minor primary challengers, including Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), this is the only contest he has lost in the Democratic primary.  

Though the results of the American Samoa contest will hardly make a dent in Biden’s lead in the Democratic primary —it only awards six delegates on the Democratic side — Palmer’s win in the U.S. territory was an unexpected curveball.  

Palmer, who resides in Baltimore and is a Quaker, has worked for groups and an investment firm, along with organizations including Microsoft, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, New Markets Venture Partners and Kaplan Education, according to his campaign website.

His campaign website says he has “experience in small business and multi-partisan fluency to his political endeavors.” 

A 52-year-old, he has branded himself as “Biden’s Youngest Dem Opponent.” Palmer is three years younger than Phillips.

In a letter published on his website, he also described himself as the “purple candidate,” noting that while he identifies as a Democrat, “my positions also sound Republican.” 

In a FAQ section of Palmer’s website, he acknowledged his odds of winning the Democratic primary against Biden were slim but said his campaign was geared toward offering solutions and ideas more than clinching the primary.  

“Americans are being bombarded with a perfect storm of multiple foreign wars, high inflation, racial and ethnic tensions, climate change, increasing crime, the last vestiges of a global pandemic, and [artificial intelligence] that could eliminate half of all jobs by 2030,” Palmer wrote on his FAQ section on why he was running.  

“Traditional candidates for public office are stoking the flames, offering 20th-century solutions to 21st-century problems,” he continued. “My campaign aims to pull America out of these conflicts by offering a very different, positive, optimistic vision of re-inventing the American Dream for the 21st century.” 

Palmer noted that he was not running as an independent because he did not want to be a spoiler in November. However, in his FAQ section, he also pushed back against the idea that his campaign could be negatively impacting Biden. 

“Biden’s chances of a second term are hurting, but not because of my campaign. According to the Reuters poll this month, 56% of Americans polled disapprove of his leadership. Numerous other polls, including one at Quinnipiac University, reveal that more than 7 in 10 independents want other candidates to enter the 2024 presidential race,” he wrote in the FAQ section. 

“I do not believe we have to concede the White House to a Republican Administration without having a robust debate that includes a positive, optimistic vision forward — we can and must do better for America,” he added.  

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Who is Jason Palmer, the Democrat who won American Samoa over Biden? - The Hill

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Coach Mike Neighbors didn't shy away from how his Arkansas women's basketball team's 44-point defeat at Ole Miss in the regular-season finale felt.

The beatdown cemented a 10th-place finish for the Razorbacks (18-13, 6-10 SEC) in the conference, which is their worst since 2018-19. They concluded the regular season on a four-game losing streak and lost by an average 24 points during the skid.

"You've got to flush this," Neighbors said. "I mean, it's embarrassing."

Arkansas will hope the memory is fully flushed when it faces seventh-seed Auburn at 5 p.m. Central today in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C.

The last time the Razorbacks entered the conference tournament as the No. 10 seed, they made history. Arkansas became the lowest-seeded team to advance to the championship game.

Arkansas made an improbable run to the title in 2019 with victories over Georgia, South Carolina and Texas A&M before falling to top-seeded Mississippi State.

Neighbors, in his seventh season coaching his alma mater, said he hopes his team can catch the same type of lightning in a bottle five years later.

"You tell stories about that 10 seed that went down there and went to the finals," Neighbors said. "[About how] that was the 10 seed that got hot, and how they went into it. We were in a very similar situation, so you tell those stories.

"And I think you keep things in perspective, which is what we do all the time. ... It's postseason. We've talked about it all the way through the year leading into this being the final stage. So, it's here."

The last time Auburn (19-10, 8-8) and Arkansas met was Feb. 4, a matchup the Razorbacks won in a 74-72 thriller at Walton Arena. During that game, Arkansas freshman guard Taliah Scott scored a game-high 33 points and willed her team to victory.

The Tigers had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but a shot by Taylen Collins was off target as the buzzer sounded.

"It came down literally to a tip at the buzzer," Neighbors said. "They've won three in a row. They're coming in on a little different road than we are here, but a lot of it has to do with your schedule, who you played and where you've played.

"So they'll be coming in riding high."

Scott, who was named to the SEC all-freshman team earlier this week, likely will not be available for the conference tournament. She has missed the team's last five games due to what has been called a "serious family emergency," which sent her home to Orange Park, Fla.

"She's not back," Neighbors said Tuesday. "Like I've been telling [media members] a little bit, I'll let y'all know [when she returns] because there will be a ramp-up period. We're not just going to bring her out and trot her out to a game.

"We'll let you know. It's still day-to-day. ... I wouldn't anticipate her making a trip with us."

The Tigers are in most NCAA Tournament projections, including as an 11-seed in ESPN's most recent forecast. They are in their third season under Coach Johnnie Harris, who was an assistant coach at Arkansas from 2004-07.

Auburn graduate guard Honesty Scott-Grayson ranks second in the SEC scoring 18.3 points per game. She was named to the All-SEC first team when awards were announced Tuesday.

"We won't have to tell them how fast Honesty Scott-Grayson is," Neighbors said. "They've lived it. We won't have to tell them how high Taylen Collins jumps. They've lived it. You don't have to convince them as much, they've already got that in. Now we can spend some time on being tactical and go into it."

Neighbors said he hopes his team, which has gotten off to slow starts many times, can start hot against Auburn.

"The tournament does have a different feel because they're new rims, they're new balls and it's a new environment for both of us," Neighbors said. "What I've learned on those Thursdays ... especially if you're both playing your first game, it's the team that settles in the fastest.

"We've not been a great starting team. I hope that may be something that we capture here in the postseason -- in the SEC tournament and beyond."

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UA women hope to flush beatdown | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Arkansas Online

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Democratic state Representative Shawn Thierrys list of political contributors reads like a whos who of Republican mega-donors and Christian nationalist public school defunders. The Houstonian received $28,000 from the Charter Schools Now PAC, $25,000 from conservative Dallas billionaires Darwin and Douglas Deason, $10,000 from the pro-voucher Family Empowerment Coalition, $10,000 from the powerful pro-tort reform PAC Texans for Lawsuit Reform, backed by the Republican establishment, and $50,000 fromthe Texas Sands PAC, which was created to push for the legalization of casinos and bankrolled largely by Miriam Adelson, widow of Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson.

It was more than enough money to buy Thierry billboards by the Houston Rodeo leading up to the electionbut not enough for the four-term state representative to beat out Lauren Ashley Simmons in the District 146 Democratic primary, after Thierry alienated liberal voters by aligning with Republicans last year to ban gender-affirming care for transgender teens. Simmons fell just shy of 50 percent while Thierry received around 44 percent, so the two will head to a May 28 runoff. Community activist Ashton Woods received 6 percent of the votes.

In comparison to Thierrys high-rolling funders, as of March 4, Simmons received nearly $100,000 less than Thierry in total contributions and mostly in small individual donations. Leading up to the election, Simmons picked up a slew of endorsements from progressive organizations and the Houston Chronicle editorial board.

The results show that people in the district are ready for new representation. We deserve somebody that aligns with our values. Thierry has not shown up for us in the way that we need her to. Now its time for somebody else to do that job, Simmons told the Texas Observer.

On the campaign trail, Simmons distinguished herself, telling the Houston Chronicle editorial board, Im not a politician. Im a community advocate. The mom and union organizer grew up in Houstons Third Ward, becoming pregnant at age 19. After she and her baby were kicked off of welfare and evicted from their apartment, she shoplifted food and clothing for her baby until she was arrested (the charges were later dismissed). Since then, Simmons said shes been organizing Black and immigrant women to achieve better working conditions, health care, and living wages. As a mother of two kids enrolled in the Houston Independent School District and a former organizer with the Houston Federation of Teachers, shes publicly taken state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles to task for his unpopular reforms in the district.

If you talked to me a year ago and told me Id be running for office, I would have absolutely laughed at you, because I love my work, Simmons said. But the biggest reason I ran is because our community deserves a better representative than what we currently have.

During the last legislative session, Thierry angered her Democratic colleagues and advocates when she aligned with Republicans to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. Even though the bill had enough votes to pass without any votes from Democrats, Thierry decided to publicly defend her vote with a 12-minute speech on the House floor and later an interview on Fox News. The move drew praise from Republicans and censure from Democrats. In response, Thierry later tweeted, I voted my district, claiming Black voters were more conservative on the issue.

Simmons told the Observer: Im really uncomfortable with Black folks being used as an excuse in that way. Were not a monolith. Black trans people do exist. And as a good Democrat, there is always an opportunity to educate your community, your constituents, and explain why this is not the right way.

The fallout from Thierrys vote to ban gender-affirming care was followed by public condemnation from her staffers who accused her of creating an abusive work environment. In one incident, Thierry reportedly threw a flowerpot across the room at a staffer after she failed to immediately inform her when the flowers arrived. Thierry dismissed the criticism saying her staffers are gay and were retaliating against her for her vote banning transgender care. Thierry provided a similar comment when Simmons noted to the Houston Chronicle editorial board that she, Simmons, had earned the support of some of Thierrys colleagues. Thierry retorted, The gay ones. Thierry did not immediately respond to the Observers request for comment.

Simmons told the Observer that Thierry abandoned voters in her district when she chose to focus on culture war issues, instead of the problems constituents faced, citing the rise in gun violence, the lack of good jobs and grocery storesparticularly in Sunnyside, the poorest neighborhood in Houston.

The organizer in me is going to make sure we touch folks who have been disconnected for so long from this process. The momentum and excitement is on our side, Simmons said.

Like Thierry, longtime Houston state Representative Harold Dutton, also a Democrat, had to turn to Republican big donors after he alienated his Democratic colleagues, voting to ban gender-affirming care, to ban books in school libraries, and to expand charter schools. During this election cycle, he received $58,000 from Charter Schools Now, $79,000 from the Texas Sands PAC, and $10,000 from the Family Empowerment Coalition.

Dutton drew the ire of parents, teachers, and advocates in Houstons school district after he tripled down on his support for the unpopular state takeover of the district. In 2015, Dutton authored the bill that allowed the state to take over. In 2019 he empowered the state education commissioner with final and unappealable power to take over districts, clearing the way for the Texas Supreme Court to lift an injunction on the takeover. And even after the state seized control, Dutton bragged that it was him, and not Abbott, who made it happen.

But the support of Houstonspublic education community for Duttons opponent, Danny Norris, was not enough Tuesday night to dislodge the incumbent of 40 years. With around 60 percent of the vote, Dutton avoided a runoff against three challengers; Norris garnered less than 20 percent. Dutton had outraised Norris 10-to-1. Dutton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Norris told the Observer he intends to run again. Win, lose, or draw, I am not going anywhere. Im dedicated to making a difference in the district.

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Houstonians Force Anti-LGBTQ Democrat into Runoff with Progressive Challenger - The Texas Observer

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