Gavin Newsom To Decide On Dianne Feinstein Replacement

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been given the authority to determine the successor to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, but he is constrained by his own commitments and intricate political considerations.

Feinstein, who passed away at the age of 90, had a long-standing influence in California politics and her hometown of San Francisco. Now, the responsibility falls on Newsom to select her successor until a special election is held in November 2024.

Newsom has been unequivocal about his choice: a Black woman. Vice President Kamala Harris is one of only two Black women to have served in the Senate, and Newsom explicitly stated that he would appoint another if a vacancy arose.

“I have multiple names in mind. We have multiple names in mind — and the answer is yes,” he told MSNBC host Joy Reid in March when asked about nominating a Black woman.

There are several Black women in California politics who could be considered. Rep. Barbara Lee, who is already running for the seat, is one of them, which adds complexity to the decision.

Other potential candidates include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was elected to the position just last year, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, as reported by Politico in May.

Selecting Lee could invite allegations of providing her an unfair advantage in the competitive primary, as it would allow her to run in 2024 as an incumbent, a significant advantage in a heavily Democratic state.

According to an L.A. Times / Berkeley IGS poll, California Rep. Adam Schiff led the field with 20 percent this week, followed by Rep. Katie Porter at 17 percent and Lee at 7 percent.

Schiff, a former House impeachment manager and ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, surprised many by announcing her intention to seek reelection next year. Although she holds the title of Speaker Emerita, Pelosi continues to exert influence in her party and is an effective fundraiser.

Feinstein had faced health issues over the past year, including a bout of shingles that kept her away from the Senate for a month and a fall at her San Francisco residence in August that resulted in a brief hospitalization. Despite calls for her resignation due to her health, she remained in her Senate seat, using a wheelchair during Senate sessions, with aides assisting her in voting.

Newsom has been gaining prominence within his own party and was recently appointed as a counter-spokesman for the Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley by the Biden campaign. He is scheduled to debate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis next month on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program. Despite concerns about President Biden’s age and vitality affecting his chances and polling issues, Newsom has repeatedly denied any interest in running for the White House.

In a statement released on Friday, Newsom praised Feinstein as a “political giant” who “broke down barriers and glass ceilings.” He described her as a “powerful, trailblazing US senator” and a “leader in times of tragedy and chaos.” While acknowledging the challenge of selecting someone to succeed her, he emphasized that “there is simply nobody who possessed the poise, gravitas, and fierceness of Dianne Feinstein.”