At least four names have been floated regarding a possible appointment to fill the remaining term of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. The New York Times reported Friday that Gov. Newsom will select someone to fill Feinstein’s term through the end of 2024.
Previously, Newsom vowed to pick a Black woman in the event the seat opened up. He has said he would not select any of the declared candidates — Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — for the seat.
Names that have been discussed to finish Feinstein’s term include Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles County supervisor; Angela Glover Blackwell, a civil rights lawyer in Oakland and the founder of PolicyLink, a research and advocacy nonprofit group; and Shirley Weber, the California secretary of state, according to the Times.
TV’s Oprah Winfrey also has been mentioned, according to The Associated Press.
But Newsom has come under criticism for his comments about appointing a Black woman.”I am troubled by the governor’s remarks,” Lee said in a statement. “The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election.”
AP noted that Feinstein’s death leaves Senate Democrats with a 50-49 majority in the chamber.