(Headline USA) Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced he is running for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024, even though she has not yet confirmed whether she will retire or run for reelection.
Feinstein, 89, is facing mounting pressure from her party to retire, with two Democrats already entering into the race. However, Feinstein on Wednesday refused to elaborate on her plans, saying, “My husband passed away not too long ago. And so I’m still going through that.”
But that didn’t stop Schiff, who was recently booted from the House Intelligence Committee, from announcing his campaign on Thursday.
“I’ve always believed that what’s right matters, that the truth matters, and that decency matters. And when a dangerous demagogue tried to undermine our democracy, I wasn’t about to let him,” he said in a statement, referring to Democrats’ first impeachment effort against former President Donald Trump, over which Schiff presided.
Schiff claimed in an interview on Thursday that he had informed Feinstein of his plans to run for Senate before making the announcement, and said she deserves to announce her retirement when she’s ready.
“I think she’s earned the right to do that, according to her own timing, but she was more than comfortable with my announcing,” he said. “I wouldn’t be doing that without that kind of blessing.”
Our democracy is at great risk. Because GOP leaders care more about power than anything else.
And because our economy isn’t working for millions of hard working Americans.
We’re in the fight of our lives—a fight I’m ready to lead as California’s next U.S. Senator. pic.twitter.com/H0Pa0EhhMu
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) January 26, 2023
Schiff went on to claim that “MAGA extremists” are his motivation to run for Senate.
“I wish I could say the threat of MAGA extremists is over,” he said in a video on Twitter. “It is not. Today’s Republican Party is gutting the middle class, threatening our democracy. They aren’t going to stop. We have to stop them.”
Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., is also in the running for Feinstein’s seat, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., is reportedly eyeing a bid as well.
