Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) told colleagues she plans to run in the 2024 California Senate race, according to multiple reports, adding her name to a list of contenders who want to fill a seat held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Lee told members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Wednesday she will run for the seat in 2024, according to Politico, which cited sources with knowledge of the announcement. Lee has not publicly shared her plans because Feinstein, 89, has not announced if she’s seeking reelection. There is still uncertainty over whether Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator, will retire at the end of 2024.
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Lee addressed the speculation on Wednesday, telling reporters: “What I said was that I’m very sensitive and honoring Sen. Feinstein. As I talk about the Senate race, there’s a time and place that I’m going to talk about it.”
Lee has been considered to hold statewide office in the past. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) vetted the congresswoman when then-Sen. Kamala Harris became vice president. The governor publicly committed to choosing a black woman if he had another chance to make an appointment. Lee spoke to Feinstein and Newsom last month about her plans, according to Politico.
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Lee’s decision to run for the seat comes after Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) announced a bid for Feinstein’s seat, which is safely Democratic but is likely to have a crowded primary. The race is expected to attract a bevy of ambitious House Democrats who have been waiting to seek statewide office. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has also signaled his interest in running but has not announced a bid. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has said he would defer a decision for a few months.
The 76-year-old congresswoman has served in the House since 1998 and serves as the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee. She also previously co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She served in both California’s state Senate and state Assembly.
