
In the grand contest to succeed the venerable Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, a trio of prominent Democrats has emerged as contenders. However, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, in a candid interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” declared his intent not to appoint any of them should Senator Feinstein’s seat become unexpectedly vacant.
This pronouncement carries significant implications for Representative Barbara Lee, as there were prior indications that she held the favor of Governor Newsom as the top choice to fill a potential vacancy. Nonetheless, the political landscape shifted when Representative Lee entered the Senate race, where she currently finds herself trailing in the polls behind the more prominent and well-funded Democratic Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.
In his most unequivocal statement on the matter to date, Governor Newsom informed Chuck Todd of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he would opt for an “interim appointment” to replace Senator Feinstein if the need arose. He expressed his reluctance to interfere in the ongoing primary race, asserting, “Yes, interim appointment. I don’t want to get involved in the primary. It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off. That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that.”
In response to this announcement, Representative Lee publicly voiced her displeasure, deeming the notion of appointing a Black woman only on an interim basis as “insulting.” She stated on the platform formerly known as Twitter, “I am troubled by the Governor’s remarks. The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election.”
The three Democratic contenders, Lee, Schiff, and Porter, find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes battle leading up to the all-party primary on March 5th, where the top two vote-getters, irrespective of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election. Given California’s partisan leanings, both candidates in the general election may very well be Democrats.
A recent poll from the Institute of Government Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, revealed that Schiff and Porter are locked in a tight race, with 20% and 17% support, respectively, while Lee trails at 7%. A significant portion of voters remains undecided.
Despite being 90 years old and facing calls to resign, Senator Feinstein has affirmed her intention to serve out her term, which concludes in January 2025. However, concerns about her declining health and a contentious family dispute over her late husband’s substantial estate have prompted renewed questions about her ability to fulfill her senatorial duties.
Governor Newsom openly expresses his apprehension about the prospect of appointing another senator, having previously appointed Alex Padilla to fill the seat vacated by now-Vice President Kamala Harris. The appointment drew criticism, as it replaced the Senate’s sole Black woman with a Latino man. In response, Newsom pledged to select a Black woman for any future vacancies.
California’s political observers widely interpreted this pledge as a nod to Barbara Lee, a 77-year-old stalwart of progressive and African American politics in the state. However, Feinstein’s announcement of retirement, with the ensuing competitive Senate race, has cast doubt on whether Newsom would uphold his commitment to appoint a Black woman, and if so, whether that woman would be Barbara Lee.
Governor Newsom, when pressed on the matter, affirmed his commitment to appointing a Black woman if necessary, stating, “I abide by what I’ve said very publicly.” However, he strongly suggested that Representative Lee may no longer be the favored choice for this role.
Governor Newsom’s inclination toward a caretaker appointment places him at odds with public opinion in his state, as indicated by the new Berkeley IGS poll. A significant majority of California voters, by a 2-to-1 ratio (51% to 25%), expressed a preference for Newsom to appoint someone prepared to run for a full term rather than an interim appointee. This sentiment was even more pronounced among Democrats, with 64% favoring a candidate prepared for a full term in 2024, while only 16% preferred an interim appointee.
While polls indicate a desire among Californians for Senator Feinstein to step aside, Governor Newsom defended his longtime friend and mentor, acknowledging her reduced activity and the increased role of her staff in handling her workload. He extended his best wishes to her as the situation unfolds.
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