The five (including Oprah) who could replace Dianne Feinstein
ByJon Levine
Published Sep. 30, 2023, 10:42 a.m. ET
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RIP, Senator Dianne Feinstein
Feinstein held the seat since 1992, holding back a generation of aspiring Golden State politicians now eager for a chance to replace her.
Newsom, who appointed the state’s other senator Alex Padilla to replace Kamala Harris in 2021 when she became vice president, has publicly fretted about the decision.
In 2021 Newsom promised to appoint a black woman to Feinstein’s seat in the event it became available before a general election.
That left many thinking the spot would go to Rep. Barbara Lee, a longtime California progressive who had already been running for the seat in 2024 when Feinstein planned to retire.
7People are starting to ask questions about who can replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein.CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
7Sen. Feinstein’s death leaves a Senate opening in California which has not occurred in more than three decades.REUTERS
But earlier this month Newsom all but ruled out Lee — saying he did not want to interfere with the current primary.
“It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off. That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that,” Newsom told “Meet The Press.”
California insiders say Newsom is now boxed into a corner.
“I kept wincing as additional requirements got put on, and I don’t even know why. He is free to appoint anyone he wants including himself. but he seems to have eliminated a lot of very good candidates,” said California GOP Rep. Darrell Issa.
Below is a list of five names experts told The Post could be at the top of Newsom’s list.
The odds are provided by Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Big Apple political handicapper.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (3 to 1)
7California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is considered among the most likely candidates for the job.MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Weber, 75, already owes her current job to Newsom, who appointed her to replace Padilla in 2020. She won a full term in the job in 2022.
It’s unclear whether she would want to give up the safe seat for a placeholder Senate position.
Despite owing her career to Newsom, Weber played a major role as secretary of state in facilitating the 2021 recall election against him.
“She’s elected statewide, poses no threat to Newsom, is easily identifiable as a black woman, has won statewide, and as long as there are no blemishes, it works,” Sheinkopf said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ( 5 to 1)
7Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass would be a safe choice, but it’s unclear if she wants the job.AFP via Getty Images
Bass would be a relatively safe choice.
A former California state assembly speaker who spent a decade in Congress, Bass was elected mayor of Los Angeles in 2022.
She’s been a popular mayor, but insiders say she might not be interested in the placeholder spot.
“Obviously I would think that Bass, given her vast experience, would be good, but I am not sure she would even want to do it. She’s got a pretty good job right now,” said longtime Democratic strategist James Carville. “Karen wouldn’t take that senate seat for just a year.”
Bass, 69, herself had publicly come out in favor of Newsom choosing Barbara Lee.
State Controller Malia Cohen (8 to 1)
7State Controller Malia Cohen would be among the younger possibilities and is close to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.AP
Cohen is the second-highest ranking black woman office holder in California after Weber.
She’s been chummy with Newsom for two decades and previously served as a San Francisco county supervisor.
As controller, Cohen, 45, is in charge of disbursing state funds, overseeing audits of state agencies, and representing the state on dozens of boards and commissions.
She would be a relative unknown outside of California and have little chance of being able to solidify herself in the seat before the 2024 primaries.
Oprah Winfrey (1000 to 1)
7The queen of daytime television would likely be a consensus choice with high approval ratings.AFP/Getty Images
The ultimate wild card.
The legendary television performer would come in with universal name ID and sky-high approval ratings. Rumors circulated that Newsom was considering the daytime television queen who has the added bonus of not having any known political aspirations.
She has repeatedly turned down appeals by avid fans that she runs for president.
Winfrey, 69, has publicly thrown cold water on the idea of replacing Feinstein.
In May a spokesman claimed “she is not considering the seat should it become vacant,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed (10,000 to 1)
7San Francisco Mayor London Breed would be among the most divisive choices.Getty Images
Breed would be by far the most divisive choice.
Feinstein herself once held the job of San Francisco mayor in the 1980s, but things have trended sharply more liberal.
In the tumult surrounding the death of George Floyd, Breed, 49, cut $120 million from the budgets of both San Francisco’s police and sheriff’s departments.
Looting and other violent crimes promptly skyrocketed forcing her into a dramatic reversal.
Breed also oversaw some of the nation’s most Draconian mask mandates during the pandemic, yet was busted dancing maskless and letting loose at a jazz club in September 2021.
Under her leadership, San Francisco has become synonymous with urban blight.
“She’s in charge of the disease called San Francisco,” Sheinkopf said.