California Leaders React to Sen. Feinstein’s Death, Next Steps Contemplated

Gov. Gavin Newsom may appoint anyone qualified to serve in the Senate—at least 30 years old, with nine years of citizenship, and current state residency

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) leaves the Senate Democrats weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 20, 2021. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Following 90-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) death at her home in Washington, D.C. Sept. 28, friends and colleagues offered condolences in statements remembering the late senator for her decades-long career in politics.

“Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to saving,” James Sauls, Ms. Feinstein’s chief of staff, said in a statement released Sept. 29 on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom, and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state.”