California's Adam Schiff announces bid to replace Dianne Feinstein in U.S. Senate
After much anticipation, California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff on Thursday formally announced his bid to replace incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the 2024 election.
Schiff now joins progressive Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) in a quest to unseat the 89-year-old Feinstein, who has yet to disclose her plans for re-election. His announcement also arrives after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday blocked Schiff from his spot on the House Intelligence Committee so as to return the panel to "one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people."
"The fight for our democracy and working families is part of the same struggle," Schiff said in a statement. "Because if our democracy isn't delivering for Americans, they'll look for alternatives, like a dangerous demagogue who promises that he alone can fix it."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As Politico notes, California's "top-two primary system" and Democratic lean could mean two Democrats advance to the general election. And Schiff, for his part, certainly has the war chest to back up his bid.
While Feinstein has yet to confirm her plans, most believe she will retire, especially after colleagues and former staffers last spring called into question her mental fitness for office. Per The New York Times, she also has yet to hire a campaign staff and reported less than $10,000 in cash on hand in the latest campaign finance report — "a paltry sum for a sitting senator."
On Thursday, Schiff told Los Angeles' Fox 11 that he discussed his plans with Feinstein before going public. "I wouldn't be doing this without her blessing," he said. "I want to make sure everything I do is respectful to her."
In Congress, Schiff is perhaps most well-known for his work on the Jan. 6 committee and his leadership during former President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Will California’s Proposition 50 kill gerrymandering reform?Talking Points Or is opposing Trump the greater priority for voters?
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland



