Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) denied that she had decided not to seek reelection in 2024 after her office put out a statement announcing her retirement.
“I haven’t made that decision. I haven't released anything,” she told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
Her staffer promptly let her know a statement had been released, to which she responded, “You put out the statement? I should have known they put it out.”
Feinstein is the third senator to retire this election cycle, and her decision to step down clears the way for a crowded Democratic primary field for her California Senate seat. Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have already announced their campaigns.
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“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends," Feinstein had said in the Tuesday statement. “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives. Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”
Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and was the mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988. Her political career began in 1969, when she was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She will turn 90 this year, and her age has prompted intense speculation over whether she will run for another term.
The California Democrat told reporters Tuesday that her decision to retire stems from the death of her husband Richard Blum, who died last year.
“My term will be up at the end of next year, that seemed to be a good time. My husband just passed away — it’s been about 6 months — and people keep asking, and I decided I’d answer the question,” she said.
Following her announcement, Schiff tweeted: "Dianne Feinstein is one of the finest legislators we’ve ever known. From the torture report, a dogged pursuit of gun safety, and championship of LGBTQ+ rights, her body of work defines her legacy. We are so grateful for her ongoing leadership."
The race to become California's next senator will ignite fierce competition among Democrats. There are already 11 candidates in the race, and Porter and Schiff have started the mudslinging as the two most high-profile candidates. Feinstein said Tuesday she may make an endorsement at some point in the future.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Schiff.
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