How Dianne Feinstein’s Resignation Could Create Political Minefield for Gavin Newsom

Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein’s resignation is being demanded by a growing number of liberals. They want Democratic governor Gavin Newsom to replace her, an opportunity that could turn out to be a political problem for the governor and impede his presidential aspirations. The prolonged sick leave of the 89-year-old senator has delayed President Joe Biden’s judicial picks, causing calls for her resignation to go up. However, Feinstein’s resignation could put Newsom in a political minefield, as California’s Democratic constituency groups all think they’re entitled to the senate seat. With any choice, Newsom makes he could upset some people, and if he’s thinking about running for president, that puts him in a tough spot according to political analysts.

Newsom has already promised to appoint a black woman to replace Feinstein. This promise narrows down his choices between declared candidates to Rep. Barbara Lee, who is not the most popular politician in the race, which includes several Democratic colleagues. However, Lee’s selection over more popular candidates could anger Democratic donors. So, according to Claremont Institute senior fellow Steven Hayward, it would be “politically hazardous” for Newsom to pick from the declared candidates.

Newsom could avoid the problem by appointing a temporary replacement who pledges not to run to keep the seat available in 2024. But that hasn’t been the governor’s choice. From an electoral perspective, Newsom’s pledge to appoint a black woman may not match the voter base. California’s black population is shrinking while Latinos make up a comfortable majority, and Asians are the fastest-growing demographic in the state.

Newsom has already appointed Alex Padilla to the U.S. Senate seat left by Vice President Kamala Harris and tapped then-assemblywoman Shirley Weber to replace Padilla as California’s secretary of state. He also chose then-assemblyman Rob Bonta to replace Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra as California’s attorney general. With the boost of a gubernatorial appointment, both were reelected.

Newsom’s habit of appointing Democrats from Sacramento’s tight-knit group of Democratic power players may be putting too much power in an appointment process than elections, according to Thad Kousser, a politics professor at the University of California, San Diego.

Democratic representative Ro Khanna was the first Democrat to call for Feinstein’s resignation. He noted that “it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties.”

Update, 7:12 p.m.: This piece has been updated to include Rep. Ro Khanna’s call for Feinstein to resign.