- CA Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly assessing who to nominate ought to Sen. Dianne Feinstein step down.
- One of many names Newsom is contemplating is media mogul Oprah Winfrey, per The Related Press.
- Appointing a celeb might assist Newsom keep away from selecting favorites amongst precise politicians.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has floated appointing media mogul Oprah Winfrey if Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat turns into vacant amid deepening well being considerations.
In keeping with the Related Press, Winfrey is among the many names that Newsom is contemplating appointing ought to Feinstein willingly go away her seat.
The 89-year-old California Senator returned to Washington on Might 10, after a shingles analysis and therapy that stored her out of motion for 10 weeks.
And whereas the considered slotting in a celeb with no political expertise into the high-profile seat could appear random, there could also be some planning behind it. In 2021, Newsom promised to nominate a Black lady to Feinstein’s submit if her seat turned vacant. The AP posited that the appointment could possibly be extra of a caretaker function till votes can resolve on Feinstein’s substitute in 2024.
Putting a celeb within the seat might additionally assist Newsom keep away from selecting favorites amongst precise declared senate candidates, AP added. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee is at the moment operating in opposition to Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. Lee is Black, and Porter and Schiff are white.
Because it stands, Newsom might not actually have a likelihood to make the appointment. Feinstein has stated that she isn’t planning to step down from her place earlier than her time period ends in 2025. Feinstein’s workplace didn’t instantly return Insider’s request for remark.
Winfrey didn’t instantly return Insider’s request for remark.
In 2018, Oprah’s pals pushed her to make a 2020 run for president, in line with CNN, however she has publicly denied having presidential ambitions.
In keeping with the AP, Newsom has thought-about Winfrey as a candidate if Feinstein’s well being or her resolution to see out her time period modifications.
Latest experiences have raised the priority that Feinstein might not have been conscious that she was gone from the Senate for shut to a few months. Insider’s “Purple, White, and Grey” mission highlighted that Congress is older than it has ever been, with Feinstein the oldest sitting member of Congress.
Newsom’s workplace didn’t instantly return Insider’s request for remark.
