Barbara Lee As Feinstein's Successor? Pressure Mounts On Governor Newsom

The sudden demise of Sen. Dianne Feinstein has left a political void in Washington with supporters of Congresswoman Barbara Lee mounting pressure on Governor Gavin Newsom to assign her to the vacant interim Senate seat.

When Kamala Harris assumed the vice presidency, Newsom awarded her Senate seat to Alex Padilla. At that time, he vowed that any future appointment would be a Black woman. Supporters of Rep. Barbara Lee are now urging him to fulfill this promise, reports CBS San Francisco.

Dezi Woods-Jones, founder of “Black Women Organized for Political Action,” said, “We are supportive of Barbara because, not only is she qualified, she’s capable, she has served, she’s proven herself. And, at the same time, it is past time that we are represented in the United States Senate.”

See Also: Senator Dianne Feinstein Passes Away At 90 Amid Declining Health

However, Newsom finds himself in a difficult position. Lee, who is already contesting for the office, is currently lagging behind two other Democrats, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, in the primary race.

Lee issued a statement, saying, “If the governor intends to keep his promise and appoint a Black woman to the Senate, the people of California deserve the best possible person for that job. Not a token appointment. Black women deserve more than a participation trophy. We need a seat at the table.”

Democrats are urging Newsom to make a decision soon, as their slim majority in the Senate could be jeopardized if the seat remains vacant for too long, potentially affecting their ability to approve federal judicial appointments for the remainder of the term.

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Image by Benjamin Dunn/Neon Tommy via Wikimedia Commons