Oprah denies rumors of taking Feinstein’s Senate seat.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has been the subject of rumors and speculation that she could replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) if she steps down from office before her 2024 term ends. However, Winfrey has denied these rumors through a spokesperson.

“Oprah Winfrey is not considering the seat should it become vacant,” a spokesperson for Winfrey said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously said he would try to appoint a black woman for Feinstein’s seat, and some reports have named Winfrey as a possible candidate. However, these reports have been entirely speculative and named no source.

Winfrey’s Political Ambitions

Winfrey has long been the subject of speculation about her political ambitions, but she has repeatedly turned down appeals to run for office. In a 2019 speech, while campaigning for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Winfrey said that she wouldn’t run for president.

“I am not here because I am making some grandstand, because I’m thinking about running myself,” Winfrey said at the time. “I don’t want to run. I am not trying to test any waters, don’t want to go in those waters.”

Last fall, Winfrey endorsed Democrat John Fetterman in the Pennsylvania Senate race. If Feinstein steps down, Newsom would be under considerable pressure to name someone to her seat in the interim as Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate.

Feinstein’s Health and Possible Replacement

Feinstein, who turns 90 next month, was gone from the Senate for more than two weeks as she battled a shingles infection. She returned back to Congress several weeks ago, confined to a wheelchair, and delivered unusual remarks to reporters saying she was still working in the Senate when she was recovering in the hospital.

If Feinstein resigns, a number of California Democrats have demanded that Newsom name a black woman to the seat. However, Newsom has said he is being swamped with recommendations for how to fill a possible Senate vacancy and is sensitive to criticism that voters should be picking their elected officials. He hinted that he might choose a caretaker to hold the spot, if one occurs.

Conclusion

While Winfrey has denied any intention to run for Feinstein’s seat, the speculation about her political ambitions continues. As for Feinstein, her health and possible replacement remain a topic of discussion among California Democrats and political observers.

• Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has denied rumors that she could replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) if she steps down from office before her 2024 term ends.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously said he would try to appoint a black woman for Feinstein’s seat, and some reports have named Winfrey as a possible candidate.
• Winfrey has repeatedly turned down appeals to run for office, but she endorsed Democrat John Fetterman in the Pennsylvania Senate race last fall.
• If Feinstein resigns, a number of California Democrats have demanded that Newsom name a black woman to the seat.
• Feinstein’s health and possible replacement remain a topic of discussion among California Democrats and political observers.