Feinstein passes on Senate reelection in 2024

Few people believed Feinstein would seek another term. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff have both launched campaigns for Senate — although Schiff said his was conditional on Feinstein not running again — and Rep. Barbara Lee is preparing to launch her own.

Despite the widespread presumption that Feinstein would not seek reelection, her announcement on Tuesday nonetheless relieved California Democrats hoping to replace her from the awkward predicament of openly seeking a seat that wasn’t officially open.

Porter tweeted quick praise of the senator she’s hoping to succeed, crediting Feinstein for having “created a path for women in politics that I am proud to follow.” Schiff lauded her as “one of the finest legislators we’ve ever known.”

California’s primary system allows the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election regardless of party. Given the state’s overwhelmingly blue electorate, it’s quite possible that next November Californians will choose between two Democrats as they select their next senator. That was the case during Feinstein’s 2018 victory over Democrat Kevin de León and now-Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2016 victory over former Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

And whoever does win that race could hold the seat for decades, as Feinstein did.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Feinstein’s retirement at the Democratic caucus’ weekly lunch on Tuesday, where she received a standing ovation, according to party senators. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also gave an introduction before Feinstein spoke.

Padilla “explained that his first job in public service was working for Dianne Feinstein,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) recalled after the lunch. “Then he called on Dianne herself, who talked about her husband’s death and how hard that was and that she’s ready to step away from public life.”

While Democratic senators praised Feinstein’s long career, they were more reluctant to discuss who in the increasingly crowded field might replace her.

“Right now, we should just celebrate the amazing career of Sen. Feinstein, who has served her country with distinction and honor,” said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), chair of the caucus’ campaign arm. “There will be plenty of time talk about the election in the future.”

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said he hoped “the voters of California will reflect on her record and her contributions, and that that will help inform the race in terms of what kind of leaders California’s voters want.”

Asked about the impact of Feinstein’s retirement on the race to succeed her, Warren — who has endorsed Porter — said she couldn’t speak to California politics. But she described her fellow progressive as “family.”

“When [Porter] said she would be in the Senate race, I said, like we always do with family: ‘I’ll be all the way with you,’” Warren said.