Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna says he will not run to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein

By 
 March 27, 2023

Long-time California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein made headlines in February when the 89-year-old announced that she will not seek another term in office.

While some Democrats may have hoped that progressive Rep. Ro Khanna might win the race to replace her, Khanna says he isn't interested.  

Khanna endorses Rep. Barbara Lee

According to the Washington Examiner, Khanna made the announcement on Sunday during an interview with CNN host Jake Tapper.

Khanna told Taper that although he won't be making a Senate run, he is getting behind fellow California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee.

"The best place, the most exciting place, action place for me to serve as a progressive is in the House of Representatives, and I'm honored to be co-chairing Barbara Lee's campaign for the Senate and endorsing her today," declared.

Race made an issue in the campaign

"Frankly, Jake, representation matters. We don't have a single African American woman in the United States Senate. She would fill that role," Khanna said of Lee, who is black.

"I think Barbara Lee has had the track record for the past 20 years really to earn a lot of the progressive trust, particularly again on issues of war and peace and social and racial justice," he stressed.

The left-leaning lawmaker went on to state that he expects "a lot of the progressives in California will rally around her."

Kevin McCarthy says Adam Schiff "should never become senator"

The Examiner noted that despite his endorsement of Lee, Khanna did not use the interview as an opportunity to take aim at her rivals. These include Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.

One person who has not shied away from making his thoughts known about Schiff is House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The Sacramento Bee reported that McCarthy addressed Schiff's candidacy while giving a speech earlier this month at the California Republican Party Spring 2023 Organizing Convention.

In his remarks, McCarthy said Schiff "should never become senator" and accused him of lying "time and time again" during his time as chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

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