Staff Reports
In a series of social media posts, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee expressed her disappointment with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein with a caretaker if she resigns before the end of her term. Lee, who is running to replace Feinstein, criticized the governor for not appointing any candidates running for the senator’s seat in 2024. She called the idea of appointing a Black woman as a caretaker to simply fulfill a diversity requirement “insulting” and emphasized that Black women deserve more than just a “participation trophy.”
Newsom had previously stated his intention to nominate a Black woman for the U.S. Senate if Feinstein resigned. However, he now stands by his decision to appoint a temporary replacement and not interfere in the 2024 primary. This decision has sparked controversy, especially given Newsom’s previous backlash for not choosing a Black woman to fill Vice President Kamala Harris’s vacant senate seat.
As three high-profile California Democrats vie to replace retiring Sen. Feinstein, Gov. Newsom says in an interview with @MeetThePress that he would not appoint any of them to the seat, should it become vacant sooner than expected. https://t.co/LfTeSngGaT
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) September 11, 2023
While the issue may be moot for now, as Feinstein has stated her intention to serve out her term, concerns about her health and age persist. Feinstein, 90, is the oldest and longest-serving U.S. senator, and her recent health battles and absences have prompted calls for her resignation. Her condition, along with President Joe Biden’s and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s age-related struggles, has brought attention to the issue of aging politicians.
Barbara Lee’s candidacy for the senate seat is notable, but she faces competition from Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter, who are both well-known Democratic candidates. A recent poll showed Schiff in the lead, followed by Porter, with about one-third of likely voters still undecided. Lee, at 78 years old, would also face the challenge of age perception if elected. However, the survey indicated that a majority of Californians prefer Newsom to nominate a successor who will run for a full-term next year.
