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DALLAS U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, will challenge Sen. Ted Cruz in November after defeating a crowded field of Democrats on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Allred easily prevailed over state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio who was also vying for the nomination.

"I want every Texan to know, whether you're a Democrat, an independent or a Republican that I want you to be involved in this campaign and I want to serve you in the United States Senate," Allred said at his election night party.

Allred has been the favored candidate among national Democrats and led in fundraising across the field in both parties. While Gutierrez reported raising just over $1.3 million this cycle ahead of the primary, Allred reported raising over $21 million.

Cruz handedly won his partys primary Tuesday night against two uncompetitive candidates.

If no candidate gets a majority of votes in a primary race, the top two vote-getters will head to a May 28 primary runoff election. Whoever wins the runoff will be their partys nominee for that race in the Nov. 5 general election. There is also a May 4 local election, and subsequent June 15 runoff, during which some local governments, such as cities, school districts and water districts, hold a general election for their elected offices or special elections to fill vacancies.

In Texas, voters can only vote in one partys primary and runoff or in a third partys convention. During the November general election, voters can cast their ballot for any candidate, regardless of party affiliation. The candidate with the most votes wins, and there are no runoffs in state elections.

Election Day for the local election is May 4. You must register or update your voter registration by April 4 to participate. Applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk in your county not postmarked by April 23. Early voting is scheduled for April 22-30. (For any local runoffs on June 15, the last day to register or update your voter registration is May 16. Applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk in your county not postmarked by June 4. Early voting is scheduled for June 3-11.)

Election Day for the primary runoffs is May 28. You must register or update your voter registration by April 29 to participate. Applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk in your county not postmarked by May 17. Early voting is scheduled for May 20-24.

Election Day for the general election is Nov. 5. You must register or update your voter registration by Oct. 7 to participate. Applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk in your county not postmarked by Oct. 25. Early voting is scheduled for Oct. 21 to Nov. 1.

Yes, we noticed, too. Texas is one of just eight states that require primary candidates to win more than 50% of the vote before advancing to the general election. This adds runoff elections to the states election calendar. The long ballots Texas voters face, which include partisan elections for judges, stem from the states historic mistrust of government and desire to let Texans have a say at every level of government.

A lot is on the line for Senate Democrats, who are worried their fragile majority is at risk this November. Democratic senators in conservative states are up for reelection, including Sens. John Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is not seeking reelection, opening an easy pickup for Republicans in the deeply conservative state. Democrats can lose only one Senate seat and still keep power.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sees potential pick-up opportunities in Texas and Florida. The group has invested in on-the-ground communications and research staff in the two states and claims Cruzs high profile makes him uniquely vulnerable.

But Cruzs backers have warned that his unpopularity on the left is not a weakness. Cruz maintains some of the highest approval ratings among Texas Republicans of any statewide official, ahead of Texas senior senator, John Cornyn.

Cruz is also not taking anything for granted after his near loss to former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke in 2018. ORourkes explosive profile and prodigious fundraising caught many Republicans by surprise and was the closest Democrats have come to winning statewide office in 24 years.

Allred, who would be Texas first ever Black U.S. senator if elected in November, was ebullient at his election party in Dallas and thanked Gutierrez for running a "classy" campaign that stuck to the issues. He said it was contrast to Cruz, whom he described as a "me-guy."

Referencing his experience as a civil rights lawyer, Allred evoked Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his speech Tuesday night.

"So I have to talk about Dr. King," Allred said. "He said that the ultimate measure of a leader isn't where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, where they stand in the most challenging moments. We know where Ted Cruz stands when those moments come. When 30 million Texans are freezing in the dark. He decided to go to Cancun. When our democracy was under attack, he was hiding in the supply closet."

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, praised Allred in a statement Tuesday.

A 4th generation Texan and working-class kid who made it to the NFL and Congress, Colin Allred has proven he can take on and win tough fights," Peters said. "In November, Texans are going to elect a Senator who will put delivering results for the people of Texas over politics - that is Colin Allred."

But it remains to be seen if Democrats are able to recreate ORourkes near-success six years ago. Allred has taken a different tone in his campaign, unafraid to attack Cruz directly. He has also focused on his bipartisan accomplishments in Congress. Unlike ORourke, Allred served in the majority during his time in Congress as his party passed major legislation on climate change, infrastructure and gun safety.

Gutierrez has been the fiercest voice in the state Legislature for gun control and law enforcement accountability after the Robb Elementary School shooting left 19 students and two teachers dead. Uvalde, the city where the shooting took place, is located in his district. He cast himself as an underdog candidate to Allreds formidable fundraising and backing by national Democrats.

Gutierrez stood by family members of victims from the shooting as he conceded the race, saying they were the reason he ran for U.S. Senate. He vowed to continue fighting for gun safety and "so many things that are broken on this state." He said he'd told Allred while conceding that "we need an assault weapons ban in the country."

"I stopped crying about elections a long time ago. You wont see crying over that spilled milk. Weve got a fight thats still yet to go in this state. Were going to make sure we do that," Gutierrez said.

Before joining Congress in 2019, Allred was a civil rights attorney and former NFL linebacker for the Tennessee Titans. He has often alluded to his personal story in his runs for office. He has strong personal ties to Dallas, where he grew up and his mother was a public school teacher. Allred grew up without his father and was the first member of Congress to take paternity leave when his son was born in 2019.

Allred defeated U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions for his House seat in 2018. It was a considerable upset, taking down a long-serving Republican who had chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2012, one of their most successful cycles in a generation. (Sessions returned to the House in 2021, after running in a different district)

Allred attributed his success to his close community ties and bridge-building ability. He proudly touts his endorsements from the AFL-CIO labor union and the pro-business U.S. Chamber of Commerce. More than 70% of bills hes cosponsored have been bipartisan.

That approach has opened him to criticism, particularly from Gutierrez who cast himself as the progressive alternative. During a Texas AFL-CIO debate in January, Gutierrez said the dual endorsements amounted to being for the wolf and the sheep too.

Gutierrez also attacked Allred, saying he was bending toward Republicans with recent votes. Allred voted for a Republican-led resolution condemning the Biden administration for its handling of the border. Gutierrez said Allred was throwing Democrats under the bus for political expediency.

Listen, Ill be honest with you: That was a tough vote for me, Allred responded at the time. It was a vote that I saw as being about whether we stood for the status quo or not.

Allred was among 14 Democrats who voted for the resolution.

Allred is still a loyal Democratic member. He voted with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 100% of the time in his two terms where Democrats were in the majority.

For his part, Cruz is a different opponent from six years ago when he was widely considered to be unpopular within his own party ranks. He has since amassed greater influence and power within the Senate.

Cruz is now the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee and has built relationships across the aisle on a host of issues that may not grab national headlines, from international trade infrastructure to the states semiconductor industry. Cruz was ranked the 16th most effective Republican senator during the 2021-2023 session by the Center for Effective Lawmaking at Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia.

Cruz is increasingly highlighting that side of his work to counter Allreds self-characterization as a bipartisan lawmaker.

In Texas, Republicans and Democrats can and do work together and they work together very well, Cruz said at an event hosted by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council in Laredo last month.

After he won his primary, Cruz said in a statement that his race was "about building bridges, fighting for our cadets, expanding highways, creating jobs, and protecting the state that we cherish so deeply. Never before has it been more important to unify and fight against the radical left who threaten to change what makes this state great."

Still, Cruz is as much conservative celebrity as a policy maker and holds back no punches when going after President Joe Biden or his administration. Cruz hosts a thrice weekly protest where he often derides Biden as corrupt and lambastes Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as neglecting his duties.

He played a central role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He filed an objection in the Senate to Arizonas election results on Jan. 6, 2021, calling for a 10-day emergency audit. Cruz also offered to represent former President Donald Trump in the Texas-led lawsuit to reverse multiple states election results. He still voted against certifying Arizonas election results after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Cruzs optics persistently overcast his policy work. Voters are still slow to forget Cruzs trip to Cancun during Texas devastating 2021 winter storm (Cruz later expressed regret for the trip).

And he has never shied from sharing his ambitions for higher office. Though he declined to challenge Trump in a 2024 presidential run, Cruz has repeatedly said he would love to run again in 2028.

At Allred's victory party Tuesday, former state Sen. Wendy Davis, who challenged Gov. Greg Abbott in the 2014 gubernatorial election, praised Allred as a "quiet" and "strong" candidate who convinced voters to his side one by one.

Colin does not shy away from a fight. And Colin knows that we need a fighter in our corner in Texas and we need it now," Davis said. "I have no doubt. He's the person to take on Ted Cruz and win. And he's going to do that because people are tired of the Ted Cruz brand.

Disclosure: US Chamber of Commerce has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Colin Allred will face Ted Cruz in Texas this November - The Texas Tribune

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.

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

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.

Continue reading here:
Plenty of questions face Hogs in spring | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Arkansas Online

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.  

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

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