LOS ANGELES – The death of 90-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein has put enormous pressure on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to quickly name a successor to the pioneering longtime Democratic senator. .
Feinstein’s death has made the Democratic Senate majority even more fragile. And her death comes as a bitterly divided Congress faces a vote this weekend to avert a government shutdown.
Feinstein announced several months ago that she would not seek re-election in 2024, and three leading Democrats are currently running to replace her: Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Katie Porter, and Rep. Barbara Lee. I am a candidate.
Sen for many years.Dianne Feinstein dies at age 90
Senator Dianne Feinstein has died. She was 90 years old. (Fox News)
But Feinstein has more than a year left in her Senate term, and Newsom will have to replace her, and the governor’s decision is sure to anger some people.
California’s governor promised earlier this year, even as Feinstein’s health issues worsened, to appoint a Black woman to the position if senators vote.
Dianne Feinstein in memory of senator’s legacy
But he recently said he would appoint an interim member if he needed to name a replacement in the Senate.
“Yes, it’s an interim appointment. I don’t want to get involved in the primary,” Newsom said in an interview with NBC News earlier this month. “This would be completely unfair to the Democratic Party, which has worked so hard. The primaries are months away, and I don’t want to upset that balance.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks with Fox News Digital in the spin room during the 2nd Republican Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on September 27, 2023 in Simi Valley, California. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
It was a shock to Lee, who is black. Her allies believed she was Newsom’s first choice to fill the potential vacancy. Lee criticized the governor following her recent comments.
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Feinstein’s death will allow Newsom to elevate both Golden State senators. He nominated then-California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to the Senate in early 2021 after incumbent Kamala Harris resigned to become vice president.
Newsom praised Feinstein in a public statement from the governor’s office.
“Dianne Feinstein was many things: a powerful and pioneering U.S. senator, an early voice for gun control, and a leader during a time of tragedy and turmoil. But to me, she was a dear friend. “He was not only a lifelong mentor and role model, but also a great example of what it means to be a strong and effective leader, not only to me, but also to my wife and daughters,” Newsom wrote.
