Feinstein says she plans to postpone the full term after Newsom promised to appoint a black woman to replace her

Feinstein says she plans to postpone the full term after Newsom promised to appoint a black woman to replace her

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“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Feinstein told CNN on Tuesday about the Democratic governor’s remarks. “No,” she said when asked if she would retire before the end of her six-year term, which would expire at the end of 2024. ‘I’ve never discussed it with anyone; . “

“We are very good friends. I do not think he meant it as some people thought,” Feinstein said when asked about the governor’s comments. The senator added: “You are making a mountain out of a molehill.”

When she walked into the Senate chamber on Tuesday, Feinstein said ‘you will have to ask him’ why Newsom said he already had names in mind to replace her.

Despite her stature within the party, Feinstein faced increasing questions about her ability to perform her job, losing her position as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, after her Democratic colleagues privately complained about her performance during the confirmation hearings for the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court last year. If she had held the post, she would have been the first woman to ever chair the Senate Judiciary Committee. But after talks with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Feinstein rather agreed to step down from the powerful post and pave the way for the ascension of Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois to the presidency.

Feinstein rejected suggestions that she was not fit to do her job, and told CNN on Tuesday that she was “absolutely” capable of fully serving in her position, adding: “I think it’s pretty obvious. lying. “

Newsom, who is facing a recall campaign, told MSNBC on Monday that he has “several names in mind” of black women he will appoint to replace her until a special election is scheduled.

Newsom recently appointed former California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill Vice President Kamala Harris’ senate and select the first Latino in state history for the role. The governor was under intense pressure to elect a black woman to replace Harris in light of the lack of diversity in the U.S. Senate.

Prominent black officials have called for Newsom to elect either California’s representative Karen Bass, then congressional chairwoman Black Caucus, or Barbara Lee. Some social justice groups, including Black Lives Matter, continued to press Newsom not to rep. Adam Schiff as State Attorney General, and expects Xavier Becerra, the nominated Secretary of Health and Human Services, to be confirmed.

Newsom said on Tuesday on ABC’s’ The View ‘that he had’ no expectation ‘that Feinstein would’ step aside ‘, saying she was’ clear and focused’ and ‘committed to the cause not just for us’s state to fight, a representative and senior senator of California, but this nation. ‘

In December, Feinstein defended her service, telling CNN when asked if she was still capable of performing her duties: “I do. I work hard. I have good staff. I think I’m productive. And I represent the people of California as best I can. ‘

CNN’s Daniella Diaz and Alex Rogers contributed to this report.

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