California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has passed away at 90, as confirmed by her office. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Feinstein, who is a judge in San Francisco County Superior Court, her son-in-law, Rick Mariano, and her granddaughter, Eileen Feinstein Mariano. Her husband, investment banker Richard Blum, died last year.
Before embarking on her Senate career, Feinstein gained notoriety in California politics, specifically in San Francisco. She became the acting mayor in 1978 following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk. She was later elected as the city’s first female mayor.
Feinstein had announced her intention to retire at the end of her term in 2024 due to health concerns. She had recently missed Senate votes and was addressing a health matter, according to her spokesperson. President Joe Biden commended her for her influential role on issues ranging from national security to civil liberties.
Throughout her tenure, Feinstein was known for her advocacy for gun control. She played a significant role in the passage of the 1994 assault weapons ban signed by President Bill Clinton. She also made important contributions as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, particularly in reviewing the CIA’s detention and interrogation methods following the 9/11 attacks, which led to legislative changes.
In the Senate, Feinstein was praised for her integrity and work ethic by colleagues such as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Her chief of staff, James Sauls, described her as a dedicated advocate for justice and unity in American politics.
Feinstein was a centrist Democrat who often sought to work across party lines, a stance that sometimes put her at odds with more liberal members of her party. She had expressed openness to modifying Senate traditions, including the filibuster rule, to advance legislative goals. However, she faced criticism from within her party for her opposition to initiatives like the Green New Deal and single-payer healthcare.
WHO GETS HER SEAT?
Feinstein’s passing has thrust California Governor Gavin Newsom into a difficult situation, as he must quickly name a replacement while Congress is in a crucial budget standoff. While Newsom released a statement commemorating Feinstein as a trailblazer and a dear friend, he remained silent on the timing for appointing her successor. Given that the government is on the brink of a shutdown, his decision could have far-reaching implications, especially as Senate Democrats may require every available vote.
Intriguingly, the situation is complicated by the timing of Feinstein’s death, which occurred four months before a primary but still more than a year before her term was to end. This has led to frenzied consultations within the California secretary of state’s office to determine the rules for either an appointment or a special election. One could question whether the timing of her passing, given her declining health, was truly unexpected or something that might have been prepared for in advance.
Newsom’s previous commitment to appoint a Black woman to a vacant Senate seat adds another layer of complexity. He had earlier indicated that if Feinstein were to not complete her term, he would opt for an interim replacement rather than appoint Representative Barbara Lee, the only Black woman running for Feinstein’s seat. This assertion was met with criticism from Lee. Even though Newsom reiterated his commitment to appointing a Black woman, the political implications of such a choice, coupled with the urgent need for a swift decision, make the situation particularly delicate.
It’s also worth noting that the governor took five weeks to nominate Alex Padilla to fill Kamala Harris’s Senate seat after the 2020 presidential election. In this case, however, there seems to be a far more pressing timeline, raising questions about how thoroughly the appointment can be vetted. Given the urgency and the political dynamics, one could wonder if Newsom’s decision will be as well-considered as it should be, or whether it might be rushed to meet the pressing needs of the moment.
Thank God Newsom didn’t pick Barbara Lee.
Patriot. 🤍🙏🏼🕯️🪽
For greed.
Not a peep from any member of the West Hollywood City Council, not even the three female members who collectively would not hold a candle to Senator Feinstein. And our former Mayor Horvath, not even a match. Sadder than sad.😨
They all put out statements. You just didn’t look.
Actually I have taken the time to look. Perusing their individual twitter/X and IG accounts. Only Sepi Shyne and John Erickson posted remarks which were significantly bland. Should folks need to be on the CC Member’s individual feeds and Facebook to receive this info or would it be responsible of them to contribute with a statement to Wehoville, a widely recognized community source. Although some CM’s disdain Wehoville perhaps if they did contribute as part of the whole community, they might not likely encounter such abrasive articles about them. As public figures, perhaps they are unaware that it works both… Read more »
Why do they have to make a statement to Wehoville? Who cares?
They made their statements on their public accounts. They aren’t beholden to Wehoville lol. What an absurd idea.
All 3 of them made statements btw. More baseless lies from you.
Apparently you care to make comments in Wehoville. They are beholders to the residents if the community they allegedly serve. Wehoville offers a public forum and it seems if one is a public figure, there is a responsibility to “meet the public where they are” to repeat an often quoted retort of Sepi Shyne. They engage PR people to handle that to insure efficient communication. Sounds very basic.
The lack of engagement and expressed disdain for the legitimate civic discourse that happens here speaks volumes of the general contempt Shyne and Erickson have for actual residents of West Hollywood. Their words and actions at council meetings are equally offensive middle-finger-flipping gestures toward longtime residents. West Hollywood is merely a playground for other political ambitions.
Actually received a fundraising ask from SS being $12,000 behind her goals but not a word about Senator Feinstein. Sad.
Who cares what these three think? They’re loads beyond anything you can imagine in West Hollywood. The only fun part will be to see Shine no longer Mayor. But the horror will be having to look at Erickson as the next mayor.¹
It is widely known Senator Feinstein has had dementia for over a year. Nancy Pelosi, pushing Adam Schiff for Feinstein’s seat, placed her own daughters as “caretakers” and to stay with Feinstein until she retired. Sadly, the Senator died earlier than expected by the scrambling California greedy Democrats. So much for the Senator’s daughter, Katherine Feinstien’s BS lawsuits. Karma is unkind. It’s sad to have treated the Senator so unconsciously. Still, it was ironically better for Feinstein’s legacy, which was in the process of being tainted by the media resulting from Pelosi and Feinstein’s daughter actions, who were throwing the Senator… Read more »
RIP Senator Feinstein.
I think Newsom has this covered.
And btw, she never met a bill on Intelligence that she didn’t sign.
She voted for Iraq, backed tax cuts (GW), and opposed MFA.
Look forward to a young and progressive woman who is serious about addressing the warming planet.
An important statement by Sen. Diane Feinstein while Mayor if SF: “it’s not about being politically correct rather about what works to solve the problem at hand”. Rest in peace Senator, we all value and are grateful for your long and diligent service.
What happens now? She’ll continue to haunt the afterlife as a poltergeist.
Your attempt at humor seems disrespectful and sad. Yes, freedom of speech is a privilege, use it well.