With the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whom will Newsom appoint?
Gov.
Newsom must now appoint a replacement for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
He has stated that he will appoint a caretaker, not one of the three Democrats who are already running for the seat.
The governor's office has not yet released any information about Newsom's plans or a timeline for his selection.
Sen. Feinstein was a groundbreaking senior senator for California for over three decades.
Newsom praised her as "a leader in times of tragedy and chaos" and "a political giant."
She broke down barriers and glass ceilings while maintaining a belief in political cooperation.
This will be the second appointment Newsom has made to the U.S. Senate.
In December 2020, he chose Alex Padilla as California's first Latino senator after Kamala Harris was elected vice president.
Padilla won a full six-year term last year.
Newsom's decision comes with intense pressure, as Senate Democrats have a bare majority and fear that Republicans will block a replacement, preventing President Biden from appointing more judges.
There has been rampant speculation about who Newsom will choose, with Rep. Barbara Lee positioning herself as a natural pick due to her status as one of California's most prominent Black female politicians.
Other Black women officeholders who might be considered for the seat, such as Shirley Weber, California's Secretary of State, and Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, have not yet commented on whether they would consider the interim appointment if asked.
Feinstein's death has left a void in California and Washington, with bipartisan tributes pouring in for her.
She made her mark on national security, the environment, and protecting civil liberties.
Her legacy will benefit the country for generations.
For the latest updates on Gov.
Newsom's decision to fill Sen. Feinstein's seat, sign up for our free WhatMatters nonpartisan newsletter.


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