The race for one of California’s Senate seats is underway after Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) announced her intent to run in the 2024 election, setting the stage for a tight battle between her and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — before incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has even announced whether she plans to retire.
Porter launched her campaign on Tuesday, getting a head start on other probable candidates such as Schiff and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who are likely to run for the seat as well. Porter’s early announcement gives her a leg up on her opponents, with reports indicating the California Democrat was planning to announce her campaign before Feinstein revealed her future plans.
PORTER LEADS SCHIFF IN EARLY LOOK AT POSSIBLE CALIFORNIA SENATE PRIMARY: POLL
“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,” Porter said in a tweet announcing her candidacy.
It’s not yet clear what Feinstein plans to do after her term ends in 2024, but it’s widely expected the 89-year-old will retire. If so, her retirement would open a Senate seat in California that hasn’t been up for grabs since 1992.
“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,” Feinstein said in a statement responding to Porter’s candidacy. “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.”
However, not everyone was impressed with Porter’s strategy.
Schiff, who has teased for months that he intends to run for Feinstein’s seat, criticized Porter for the timing of her announcement, which comes as California battles severe storms and flooding.
“We’re not playing politics in the middle of a natural disaster that has left people dead,” Schiff said, calling Porter’s timing an “incredible mistake.”
Khanna, who has also been eyeing a Senate bid, echoed similar sentiments.
“Right now, California is facing severe storms and floods, and my district is facing historic weather conditions,” Khanna told NBC News. “My focus is on that. In the next few months, I will make a decision.”
Porter defended her decision to launch her campaign, arguing the storms in California are evidence the state needs new leadership.
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“I’m very concerned about what climate change is doing to California, and these storms are just one example of the urgency in making sure that we have leaders who understand what our country and what California is facing,” Porter told reporters on Tuesday. “My kids are in California. I’m in touch with them about the rain and watching very closely and hoping that our transit workers, first responders and others are safe during this time.”
Porter was reelected to her House seat representing California’s 47th Congressional District in November after defeating Republican challenger Scott Baugh. Her Senate candidacy will leave that seat up for grabs in a district that was rated a toss-up in the 2022 midterm elections.
