California remains deep blue

UPDATE: As expected, California is still a blue state. With 27.3 percent of precincts partially reporting, incumbent Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is lapping the field in Tuesday’s primary.

According to the California Secretary of State’s office, Newsom has 60.6 percent of the vote, a total of 1.6 million votes. Running a distant second is Republican Brian Dahle with 15.4 percent (415,552 votes).

The dual votes for the U.S. Senate shows appointed incumbent Democrat Alex Padilla leading in both the two-year term and six-year term races with 58.2 percent and 57.7 percent, respectively. The top Republican contender is Mark Meuser (18.9 percent) for the partial term and full term (12.8 percent).

Early results show Democrats winning all statewide races except for controller, where Republican Lanhee Chen has 33.2 percent and Democrat Malia Cohen with 22.7 percent. Chen is the only Republican in the race.

Primary elections are being held all over the country today, a process that should set the lineups for general elections in November that will decide which party presides in statehouses and Congress.

At the national level, Democrats have narrow advantages in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Historically, the parties that win the presidency lose seats in Congress in the midterm elections two years later.

Inflation, gun violence and the war in Ukraine may be having an effect on the voting. Check back here later for results.

Yellen grilled on rising inflation

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has admitted she was wrong in her estimation of how the expensive pandemic relief packages would affect the economy.

According to The New York Times, Yellen was testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday and conceded that surging inflation was “unacceptable” suggested that reform of the prescription drug market and a move toward clean energy could help restrain rising consumer prices.

A Republican spokesman responded by asking why keep people in charge who “were so wrong?”

Sports: Maddon out as Angel mgr.

After 12 consecutive losses. Los Angeles Angels field manager Joe Maddon was fired by the team on Tuesday afternoon. Phil Nevin, who had been third base coach will serve as interim manager.

At a press conference, general manager Perry Minasian said, “Tough day. Not something that I thought was going to happen three weeks ago, but I felt like it was in the best interest of the club going forward to make a change at the managerial position. I love Joe Maddon, I love the person, I love the conversations. This morning was really tough, but my job in this position is to do what’s best for the organization, day in and day out. ”

The Angels will tried to snap that 12-game losing streak against the Boston Red Sox at home, but lost 6-5 in 10 innings.  Mike Trout broke out of his slump with a home run and double, but left the game with “left groin tightness” in the third inning. The Halos are now 27-30.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 4-0 to the White Sox in Chicago. With the loss, the Blue Crew (35-20) still leads the National League West by two games over the San Diego Padres, who are leading the New York Mets 4-0 in the fifth inning.

Check back for final results later.

Weather: Ride the thermometer escalator

Summer isn’t officially here until June 21 (or so), but the West Orange County area will be getting a bit of a preview soon. Partly cloudy conditions will prevail on Wednesday and Thursday with daytime highs of 79 and 81, but the sun is expected to come out on Friday and stay shining through – you guessed it – June 21. Daytime highs will peak on Saturday at 85 degrees.