Embattled Democrat Announces Bid For Senate Seat Dianne Feinstein Hasn’t Vacated

Virginia KrutaJanuary 10, 2023

Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) has announced a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024 — and she plans to run for a seat that has not yet been vacated by longtime Senator and fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein, forcing the 89-year-old into a contested primary unless she chooses to retire.

Porter shared her announcement via a video advertisement on Twitter Tuesday along with a caption. “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. Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2024.”

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.

Today, I’m proud and honored to announce my candidacy in the U.S. Senate election of 2024. pic.twitter.com/X1CSE8T12B

— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) January 10, 2023

She also added her voice to the campaign video “We’re living through a time of extraordinary change … change can be electrifying and exhilarating, but change can also be disruptive — like the constant assault on our democracy and the dangerous imbalance in our economy.”

Porter attacked Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, directly, claiming that the U.S. Senate was largely indebted to him. “the place where rights get revoked, special interests get rewarded, and our democracy gets rigged.”

“I work for California—not a political party, and certainly not corporate donors. I refuse money from corporate PACs, federal lobbyists, and executives from Big Oil, Big Pharma, and Wall Street banks,” Porter added another tweet, claiming her campaign would be completely funded by grassroots support.

Porter Recent news coverage has focused on her rebuke of a staffer who inadvertently gave her COVID. “Well you gave me Covid. In 25 months, it took you not following the rules to get me sick. My children have nobody to care for them,” Porter, allegedly, told the employee even though she had already apologized.

VIBE CHECK – Rep. Katie Porter fires a staffer after they both tested positive for COVID. Text of full text from Congresswoman, firing the staffer This text was provided by the staffer. pic.twitter.com/jbhn2NzrmB

— Dear White Staffers (@DWS________) December 29, 2022

Porter raised eyebrows again — during the recent battle to elect a new House Speaker in the now Republican-led chamber — when she was photographed in the gallery reading a book titled “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***.”

Representative Katie Porter reads a book on how to get through the session of Congressa href=”https://t.co/N5irYXWxfU”>pic.twitter.com/N5irYXWxfU

— Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 (@alexplitsas) January 7, 2023

As for the seat Porter is aiming at, sitting Senator Feinstein She announced her intention to complete her current term as senator and has not yet decided whether she will run again in 2024.

Feinstein responded to Porter’s announcement with a brief statement, saying that she was preoccupied with the devastating storms that were still ravaging California and would think about the next election at a later date.

“Everyone is of course welcome to throw their hat in the ring, and I will make an announcement concerning my plans for 2024 at the appropriate time. 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,” She spoke.

Feinstein’s statement continues: “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.”

— Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) January 10, 2023