Higher Heights Mourns the Loss of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

Now is the time for Gov. Newsom to Keep His Vow to Appoint a Black Woman to the U.S. Senate. Rep. Barbara Lee is the Right Person for the Job

BROOKLYN (Sep. 29, 2023) — Higher Heights mourns the loss of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Sen. Feinstein was the oldest member of the Senate, the longest-serving woman senator, and the longest-serving senator from California. Higher Heights PAC President & CEO Glynda C. Carr issued the following statement:

“Sen. Feinstein boldly ran, won, and served locally and nationally. She helped to create a blueprint for women’s elected leadership; her legacy will continue to encourage us to strive for a more reflective democracy. Her leadership will be missed.
 
With the passing of Sen. Feinstein, Gov. Gavin Newsom now must decide who will fill her U.S. Senate seat until the next election.
 
With a looming government shutdown, the need to find a replacement quickly to give Congressional Democrats an additional vote to pass spending legislation is a top priority, and the best person for the job at this time is Rep. Barbra Lee (Calif-12).
 
The 100-member Senate does not include a single Black woman, a void left when Kamala Harris vacated her California seat and was sworn in as vice president in 2021.
 
In an interview several weeks ago, Gov. Newsom said that he would pick a short-term caretaker, not one of the candidates running for Feinstein’s seat next year. Three Democratic members of Congress are running in the March 2024 primary, including Rep. Lee
 
Earlier this year, the governor appeared on MSNBC and was asked by host Joy Ann Reid if he would “restore” Harris’ seat by appointing a Black woman. Newsom leaped at the question.
 
‘We have multiple names in mind,’ he said, ‘and the answer is yes.’

In her 13th term in the House, Congresswoman Lee is a former leader in the California State Assembly and the first Black woman from Northern California elected to the State Senate. She has been a progressive leader on issues such as violence against women, poverty alleviation, climate change, and LGBTQ rights.  

For the future of California, our country, Black and Brown women, and the communities we care about the most, I strongly urge Governor Newsom to appoint Rep. Lee to fill Senator Feinstein’s seat. She has what it takes to get to work on day one and will ensure we continue to build beyond this moment in our nation’s history and serve as a powerful advocate for the people of California.

With zero Black women currently in the U.S. Senate, we are at a pivotal time when a Black woman’s voice is needed more than ever in this legislative body.”

About Higher Heights for America PAC:
Higher Heights for America PAC is the only political action committee exclusively dedicated to electing more progressive Black women at the federal and statewide levels and as mayors in the 100 most populated U.S. cities. For additional information, visit https://www.higherheightsforamericapac.org.

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