California Rep. Katie Porter (D) is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Dianne Feinstein.
The progressive politician has represented parts of traditionally GOP-leaning Orange County since 2019. In 2022, she fended off a strong challenge by Republican Scott Baugh, defeating him by 3.2%.
Porter's announcement comes despite Sen. Feinstein's equivocation about retiring at the end of her term.
Feinstein will be 91 years old if she runs for reelection in 2024.
California has a jungle primary system where the top two vote-getters in the primary face off in the general election, regardless of party affiliation. Whether Feinstein stays put or bows out, observers expect a brutal campaign dominated by ambitious Democratic candidates.
Porter announced her campaign on Twitter, making her the first candidate to get in the ring. Other Democrats, including Reps. Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee will likely challenge her, especially if Feinstein retires as expected.
As POLITICO reports:
Feinstein said in a statement Tuesday following Porter's announcement that “everyone is of course welcome to throw their hat in the ring,” and that she'll lay out her plans for 2024 “at the appropriate time.”
California is currently experiencing devastating flooding that has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and killed at least 14 people since late December. “Right now I'm focused on ensuring California has all the resources it needs to cope with the devastating storms slamming the state and leaving more than a dozen dead,” Feinstein said in the statement.
Spokespeople for Lee and Schiff told POLITICO on Tuesday that Porter's announcement did not change their timeline for launching their own campaigns. Schiff has previously said he would consider running if Feinstein did not run for another term, and he has already spoken to Feinstein about a potential bid, according to a person close to him.
A person close to Schiff also told POLITICO they were “perplexed” by Porter's decision to announce her candidacy on Tuesday as California faces a relentless string of storms.
Porter recently came under fire after punishing a staffer who allegedly gave her COVID-19.
Sasha Georgiades joined Porter's congressional staff in the fall of 2020 through the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program.
Text messages shared by Georgiades appear to show that Porter unceremoniously ended their professional relationship after the U.S. Navy veteran breached her office's COVID protocols. Georgiades said that her mind was elsewhere following the murder of a friend.
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Feinstein must be investigated for her 20 year collusion with a Chinese spy who was her limo driver for 20 years! What is good for one party is good for the communist party!
Who Cares ???
California needs a warrior in the Senate—to stand up to special interests, fight the dangerous imbalance in our economy, and hold so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell accountable for rigging our democracy.
California needs an enema.
Good more Dems civil war
No more women no more vile democratics, agree all need investigated, I am a women and these women in government are definitely not what I want they are 10 times worse than men the democratic women are the most vile evil politicians, judges, they are a danger to our country
Oh, goody! Replace an old, worn-out Democrat with a young, fresh Democrat.
That should make things a lot better, alright. (Insert “Roll Eyeballs” here).