Rep. Barbara Lee Files Paperwork to Possibly Run for Seat of Retiring Senator Dianne Feinstein
Rep. Barbara Lee has joined what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field to succeed retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the 2024 California Senate campaign.
While Lee has yet to make a public declaration, she did file the necessary papers with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, just one day after Feinstein announced she would not be running again. Feinstein, at age 89, is the oldest senator currently in office.
Even before Feinstein announced she would be leaving office, Democratic California Representatives Katie Porter and Adam Schiff had already announced their candidacies. Due to the state's "jungle primary" system, it’s possible that California could have two Democrats on the ballot in 2024.
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Katie Merrill, a consultant for Lee, told the Associated Press that Lee is "filing preparatory paperwork and her announcement will come before the end of the month."
In a statement, Feinstein said her wish is “to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends.”
In addition to being the first female mayor of San Francisco, Feinstein also holds the record for being the senator with the longest continuous service of any woman.
As a member of Congress, Lee's tenure dates back to 1998.
