Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, has announced she will retire after her current term ends in 2024.
The California Democrat has served in the position since 1992. Feinstein made the announcement this week after much speculation that she would not seek another term.
The announcement officially opens the gates for a number of would-be successors, including U.S. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff, who both began campaigns for the seat prior to Feinstein confirming she wouldn’t run again.
Feinstein was born on June 22, 1933, in San Francisco, California. She began her political career in the 1960s as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. In 1978, she was elected the first female mayor of San Francisco, a position she held until 1988. During her time as mayor, she worked to improve the city’s economy, public transportation, and public safety.
In 1992, Feinstein was elected to the United States Senate to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Senator Pete Wilson. She has since been reelected to the Senate four times, most recently in 2018.
As a senator, Feinstein has been a strong advocate for gun control, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. She has also served as the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, where she has played a key role in overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies.
Feinstein has been the subject of some controversy over the years, including criticism from some progressives for her centrist positions on certain issues.
Thank you for your long service to Sf, the State and the Country Senator Feinstein. It’s troubling to see how ungracious your pretenders have been showing you to the door. The new brand of repugnant politics evidenced in our own city.
LOL! She’s almost 100 years old! She’s at least 30 years past her expiration date. In fact, she should have been fired when she selfishly and prematurely released information about Richard Ramirez.