LOS ANGELES — California Gov. Gavin Newsom could soon have the rare distinction that he has selected both senators for his state, but according to those closest to him, he is not thrilled about it.
The fight in California over whether or not she should stay and what will happen to the Senate seat that she currently holds has turned into a nasty proxy war between the three prominent Democrats who are vying for her replacement, with Newsom caught in the middle.
Feinstein announced that she will retire from politics at the end her current term in 2019. This has created a heated primary battle. If she leaves the seat sooner, Newsom will have to choose someone to complete the term. This could tip the balance in the primary.
Newsom made a promise on MSNBC two years ago, when he chose Sen. Alex Padilla for an open seat. It was widely believed that he was referring to Rep. Barbara Lee.
This was however before Lee entered the Senate race and before other powerful Democrats, such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, backed one of Adam Schiff’s rivals. Some of Newsom’s allies also worked for Rep. Katie Porter, the third candidate.
“Newsom has always said that he hates [these appointments],” said an anonymous California Democratic strategist who spoke candidly. “He talks about making one person temporarily happy while pissing off a thousand others.” I didn’t believe him about the other ones — but I believe him in this one.”
The strategist said that “any decision will irritate someone.” There are more downsides than upsides to almost anything you do.
Newsom will be inundated with opinions this weekend when he attends California Democratic Party convention in Los Angeles. This event will bring together thousands delegates, activists, and powerbrokers across the vast state.
“Emails and texts, as well as people stopping me.” Newsom told a local television interview in this month that he was not kidding about the lobbying effort over the Senate seat, which is still occupied. This is a major topic in California, and was also a big issue when I lived in Alabama or Jackson, Mississippi.
He understands that people are hesitant about him doing it again. Three years ago, he named Padilla to replace Vice President Kamala Harris when she left the White House.
Newsom said, “I understand, I am with you!”
Newsom’s choice of Padilla, while less controversial, still disappointed powerful Black Democrats – key allies that the ambitious Democrat doesn’t want to alienate when he looks to a future presidential campaign.
Taisha Brown said that the California Democratic Party Black Caucus felt “incredibly hurt and depressed” by the Governor’s decision to replace the one Black woman in Senate with a Latino. “With a single stroke of the pen, he has denied Black female representation in United States Senate.”
This time the stakes are higher.
Many Black Democrats do everything they can in order to get Newsom to keep his promise to appoint an African woman. By this, they usually mean Lee.
Other California Democrats, particularly those who are allied with Schiff and Porter, maintain the opposite position just as vehemently.
Some argue that Newsom unfairly would try to influence the outcome of the primary by elevating Lee. This would give the lesser-known Oakland legislator a crucial boost in name recognition statewide and incumbency power.
Newsom’s outside political advisers are divided amongst the three candidates in his kitchen cabinet, which makes it hard for him to trust their advice. One former spokesperson is working for Porter, while another is running a super PAC that supports Lee. The powerful firm managed by Newsom’s consultants manages a pro-Schiff Super PAC.
Rusty Hicks is the California Democratic Party chairman. He said: “I am confident that the governor will keep his promises.”
Others have tried to diffuse the situation with other ideas. What about another Black woman? What about a caregiver, such as former Senator Barbara Boxer?
“I met Barbara recently, and I cannot imagine her agreeing with that.” She loves living semi-retired in Palm Springs. Rose Kapolczynski, Boxer’s ex-campaign manager, said that she and Stewart were both happy and flourishing.
Newsom knows firsthand that caregivers are not always reliable in fulfilling their role.
Newsom, when he was elected lieutenant-governor in 2010, cleared the way for the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco to replace him with Ed Lee as caretaker mayor. Lee had pledged not to run at the next election. Lee broke his promise the following year and ran and won a full-term as mayor.
There are many other Black women who are qualified in California. However, Lee’s allies want to show their support for her.
Amar Shergill is a vocal Lee supporter and the Chairman of the California Progressive Caucus. “It’s going to be difficult to find Black women to fill that seat, especially when they are aware that they will only be appointed to prevent another Black woman from occupying that seat for a long time.” “So, the pressure is on us to ensure that this never happens.”
The sniping behind the scenes has gotten worse.
Schiff, Pelosi and other members of the “Establishment”, such as Lee’s supporters, are accused by Lee supporters of manipulating Feinstein to stay in office so that they can block Lee. Schiff and Pelosi have denied this accusation. Pelosi claims she wants to allow Feinstein to make her own decisions, as she sees sexism behind the efforts to force her out of office. Feinstein’s supporters have pointed out that men with similar health problems were not forced to leave the Senate.
Feinstein’s reputation with Californians is deteriorating as concerns about her cognitive and physical health grow.
According to , a new survey by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California Berkeley, two-thirds of voters believe she is no longer “fit to continue serving as U.S. Senate.” Only 27% of registered voters said that she should remain in office.
The voters are divided on whether Newsom should appoint someone to replace her or if she should be forced to leave office.
The survey’s codirector, G. Cristina Mora, said that the poll shows that support for Sen.Feinstein is down considerably from 2018. However there are no clear opinions on how the process should proceed.
Even Feinstein’s critics were divided about how to deal with the situation.
Jacob Rodriguez, 23, a delegate from Imperial County was thinking of introducing a motion that would “diplomatically ask” Feinstein to step aside.
He said that he knows it is a long shot, and it would probably be just symbolic. But he believes it’s time for someone younger to take the reins. It sounds harsh, but this chamber is in charge of all the country. “They should be all of sound mind,” Rodriguez stated.
Feinstein should not go anywhere, according to Charlene Lefaive (71), Sherry Chavarria (66), delegates from Tulare County, in Central California’s agricultural belt.
Lefaive stated that it was “absolutely horrific” to judge someone based on their health problems.
Chavarria added, “She is wonderful.” “We still need her.”
