Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazing Democrat from California, died Friday at age 90.
A top aide confirmed her death to The Washington Times.
The oldest-serving senator, Mrs. Feinstein had been in declining health for months but resisted calls to step aside and continued to cast votes in the Senate up until Thursday, in the hours before her death.
“Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C.,” her chief of staff, James Sauls, said on Friday. “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 serving.”
The death of the California Democrat leaves her party with a functioning majority of 50-49 in the Senate, but their caucus could shrink again if embattled New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez heeds calls from his own party to resign following his indictment on corruption charges. Mr. Menendez has vowed not to step down.
Mrs. Feinstein was elected to the Senate in 1992, in what was called “The Year of the Woman.” She’ll likely be replaced, at least temporarily, by another woman.
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California Gov Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has pledged to fill the Senate vacancy with a Black woman, reiterating his promise in an NBC interview two weeks ago.
Mr. Newsom said the person he selects won’t be among the candidates who are already running to replace Mrs. Feinstein, who earlier this year announced she would not run for another term. He’ll pick a placeholder to avoid giving any of the candidates an incumbent’s advantage.
Democratic Reps. Adam B. Schiff and Katie Porter are in the lead in their party’s primary among voters in the deep-blue state, according to a Berkeley IGS poll released earlier this month.
Tributes poured in for Mrs. Feinstein on Friday from those who served with her in the Senate for decades. President Biden called her “a pioneering American. A true trailblazer. And for Jill and me, a cherished friend.”
“Serving in the Senate together for more than 15 years, I had a front row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish,” the president said in a statement. “There’s no better example of her skillful legislating and sheer force of will than when she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons. Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties. She’s made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations. Dianne was tough, sharp, always prepared, and never pulled a punch, but she was also a kind and loyal friend.”
She held some of the most powerful positions in the Senate, becoming the first woman to lead the Intelligence and Judiciary committees.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican who has faced his own health issues and calls for his resignation, praised her on the Senate floor as the nation’s longest-serving female senator and devoted public servant.
“She was an incredibly effective person at every line, at every level,” said Mr. McConnell, 80.
Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, described Mrs. Feinstein as powerful, prepared and unflappable and a powerful voice for women.
Mrs. Feinstein rose through the government ranks as the “first” woman in many positions, including president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, mayor of San Francisco and the U.S. Senate.
“She didn’t just push down doors closed for women, she held them open for generations of women who followed her,” Mr. Schumer said. “She gave a voice, a platform, a model, for women across the country who aspire to roles in leadership, in public service, who want to leave their own mark on the world, who want to make this country a better place for others.”
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
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