Dianne Feinstein Announces Retirement At End Of Term

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has announced she will not run for re-election in 2024, but will finish her current term in office after three decades in the Senate. https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1625580350586904583 Her announcement serves as something of a confirmation after some in DC have expressed over concerns about memory issues. From the New York Times:

Ms. Feinstein, 89, has had acute short-term memory issues for years that sometimes raise concern among those who interact with her. She has never acknowledged the problems.

She said in a statement that she planned to “accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year, when my term ends,” meaning Gov. Gavin Newsom of California will not appoint a replacement to fill her seat.

Ms. Feinstein, a trailblazing Democratic power broker, these days struggles to recall the names of colleagues, frequently has little recollection of meetings or telephone conversations, and at times walks around in a state of befuddlement — including about why she is increasingly dogged by questions about whether she is fit to serve in the Senate representing the 40 million residents of California.

Read the full report here. In anticipation of her announcement, Reps. Katie Porter and Adam B. Schiff, both Democrats of California, have already announced their 2024 Senate campaigns. I like both Porter and Schiff, for what it’s worth. Two very smart, experienced legislators. https://twitter.com/SenFeinstein/status/1625568264402132992 https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1625574759420530688 https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1625598020292165637