Senate Race: Rep. Barbara Lee, Rivals, Set Themselves Apart on Policy and Experience

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media Steve Gary, Rep. Katie Porter ( D-47) Rep Barbara Lee ( D-12)  and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-30)  (CBM) – The race to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away in September last year, took center stage last week at the University of Southern California with the first of two planned primary debates. The four leading candidates contesting for the seat currently occupied by Sen. Laphonza Butler, debated in front of a live audience on Jan. 22. The two candidates with the most votes in the March 5 primary, irrespective of party, will continue to a general election contest in November. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), the sole African American candidate in the race, sparred with two Democratic congressional colleagues – Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) an Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30) – as well as Republican Steve Garvey, a former first baseman for the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. The Democrats, who agree broadly on most issues and vote together about 90% of the time in the United States Congress, tried to distinguish themselves from each other. “I have been a consistent progressive who gets the job done, who has delivered for my constituents,...