Dianne Feinstein passed away at age 90 on Friday, September 29. The Democratic senator had been suffering from several health problems, which led her to announce that she would not seek another term in the Senate in 2024. She had represented California in the Senate since 1992, as such she will be remembered by many colleagues and officials who came to work with her during her years in public service. Furthermore, her death has left a vacant seat, which must be filled sooner rather than later.
As a general rule, when a member of the Senate dies while in office (or resigns), it is up to the governor of the state they represented to appoint a successor. The governor can decide whether or not to call a special election to support the decision with a popular vote. In this case, that responsibility falls on Gavin Newsom.
It could be said that the current governor of California is no stranger to this type of situation since he had to name Kamala Harris' replacement when she was elected vice president in 2020. At the time, he selected Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who was later elected to a full term in 2022.
Three years later, he has a range of options to succeed Feinstein, the woman with the longest tenure in Senate history.
Senator Dianne Feinstein dies at 90 #Politics https://t.co/sbw6JEcILw
— VOZ (@Voz_US) September 29, 2023
Karen Bass
Perhaps the option with the most name recognition at the national level but the one with the least desire to accept the job. Karen Bass spent ten years in the House of Representatives, a job she left in 2023 after being elected mayor of Los Angeles.
Indeed, in June she recommended that Newsom choose Barbara Lee in case the seat became vacant before 2024. Lee is a 77-year-old veteran congresswoman who has been in the House of Representatives for 25 years, but her advanced age makes her an unlikely choice.
Shirley Weber
When Alex Padilla left secretary of state to go to Washington, Newsom nominated her to replace him. An academic by profession, in 2012 she became the first African American elected to the California State Legislature in a district south of Los Angeles.
After ten years in the local legislature, she was granted this new position, which she recently renewed in 2022. However, her advanced age, 75, could also keep her away from the Senate a bit.
Dianne Feinstein's nearly 31-year career in the Senate #Politics https://t.co/SXMBrXXIAP
— VOZ (@Voz_US) September 29, 2023
Malia Cohen
Many analysts place her as the fair option. 45 years old, African American, and with a lot of experience in local politics. She began holding public office in 2011 and since then has been a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, president of the aforementioned Board and now state controller, an office that has broad supervisory authority over the accounting and disbursement of the finances of state and local governments.
In addition, she has a personal relationship with the governor, whom she has known for more than 20 years when they worked together on political campaigns.
Holly Mitchell
Mitchell served in the local Senate before becoming a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a position she has held since 2020. Almost 60 years old, she was the first African American to chair the Fiscal and Budget Review Committee of the California Senate.
According to her office, she would not be interested in the seat that Feinstein vacated, although Newsom's choice is yet to be known.
