The Congressional Black Caucus is urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to nominate Rep. Barbara Lee to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, as Congress and the general public await the Democratic governor’s selection to meet the rest of her time period.
In a Sunday letter to Newsom, CBC Chairman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) argued that Lee’s progressive report makes her the perfect candidate to succeed Feinstein, the California Democrat who died final week at 90 years previous. Feinstein was the longest-serving girl within the Senate, and was identified for her struggle in opposition to the gun foyer.
Lee’s “unparalleled legislative report, longstanding management within the Democratic Celebration, and deep dedication to justice and equality can’t be equalled,” Horsford wrote, including that she “is the one particular person with the braveness, the imaginative and prescient, and the report to eradicate poverty, face down the fossil gasoline trade, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda.”
Newsom has not publicly responded to the CBC’s letter, however he has reaffirmed a pledge he made in 2021 that he would appoint a Black girl to fill any future Senate vacancies in California. He did, nonetheless, stress that he doesn’t plan to nominate somebody who intends to carry the seat completely. That features Lee.
Feinstein had stated earlier this yr that she deliberate to retire in 2024, leaving the race open for different Democrats to take her seat. Lee is the one Black girl operating to carry the seat formally, going in opposition to Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter. Each lawmakers are higher funded than Lee and are beating her within the polls.
“I don’t wish to get entangled within the main,” Newsom informed NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this month. “It might be utterly unfair to the Democrats who’ve labored their tails off.”
After Newsom’s feedback, Lee posted on X that she was involved concerning the governor’s remarks.
“The concept a Black girl ought to be appointed solely as a caretaker to easily verify a field is insulting to numerous Black girls throughout this nation who’ve carried the Democratic Celebration to victory election after election,” she stated.
With Feinstein’s dying leaving Democrats head-to-head with Republicans within the Senate ― and the Judiciary Committee with out a majority ― Newsom is predicted to announce an interim appointment within the coming days. The nonpartisan main for Feinstein’s seat is on March 5, the place the highest two vote-getters make it to the November election.
Lee “has all the time accomplished what’s proper, not what’s simple ― particularly throughout moments of disaster,” Horsford wrote. “Her values have by no means wavered: she is a tried and true progressive who has been efficient in delivering laws that helps working individuals.”
