Democratic California Rep. Nancy Pelosi said she would endorse Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff’s senate bid if Sen. Dianne Feinstein does not run in 2024, according to Bloomberg.
Schiff announced recently he would be running for a senate seat, setting him up for a likely challenge against Feinstein, who is 89 years old and whose sixth term ends in 2024. Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat, announced her run for Feinstein’s seat in mid-January.
“If [Feinstein] decides not to run, I will be supporting House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who knows well the nexus between a strong democracy and a strong economy,” Pelosi, the former House speaker, said in a statement, according to Bloomberg. Other Democrats in the state, like Reps. Ted Lieu, Eric Swalwell and Jim Costa, signed the pledge, according to Bloomberg.
Feinstein has reportedly struggled with extensive memory loss. (RELATED: Rep. Adam Schiff Fundraises On China-Owned TikTok After Getting Booted From Intel Committee)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) leaves the Senate Chamber during a procedural vote on the bipartisan federal omnibus spending legislation at the U.S. Capitol on December 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
While Feinstein has filed to run for reelection, she has not yet officially declared her candidacy.
Schiff said his run is about “democracy.”
“Our democracy is at great risk,” Schiff said. “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.”
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy recently kicked Schiff, alongside Swalwell and Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, off of several committees.