Steve Phillips is a San Francisco-based writer and podcast host.
Do California Democrats believe that representation matters, or do they just pretend to? We’re about to get our answer.
The death on Sept. 29 of longtime Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein opens up a racial and gender quagmire that is sure to bedevil Democrats for many months to come. Early this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Laphonza Butler, a Black lesbian and president of Emily’s List, to the Senate at least until the upcoming special election (November 2024) to fill the remainder of Feinstein’s term. But that hardly settles the question of who Feinstein’s long-term successor will be. Two prominent Democratic members of Congress — Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — had already launched candidacies for Feinstein’s seat in anticipation of her retirement. Rep. Barbara Lee joined the race shortly after Feinstein officially announced her retirement.
