Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced he is entering the fray for the still-filled Senate seat occupied by Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Schiff, whom Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) recently removed from his post on the powerful Intelligence Committee, is the second Democrat to announce they are running for the safe California seat. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) started the battle for the seat when she launched her campaign last week.
ADAM SCHIFF ANNOUNCES RUN FOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN’S SENATE SEAT
“Our democracy is at great risk,” Schiff tweeted. “Because GOP leaders care more about power than anything else. And because our economy isn’t working for millions of hard working Americans.”
He continued, “We’re in the fight of our lives — a fight I’m ready to lead as California’s next U.S. Senator.”
Our democracy is at great risk. 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. pic.twitter.com/H0Pa0EhhMu
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) January 26, 2023
Throughout his 16 years in the House of Representatives, Schiff has been considered a centrist by his party and faced heavy criticism from many Republicans during his tenure as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Schiff’s announcement comes after months of speculation that he was going to run, given his steady gathering of campaign contributions, and after McCarthy kicked him off the Intelligence Committee, something he vowed to do after Republicans took control of the House.
McCarthy said “integrity matters” when it comes to those on the committee, and both the speaker and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have alleged that Schiff leaked classified information from the committee — something the representative has adamantly denied.
Schiff said during a press conference on Wednesday with Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who are also targets of McCarthy’s committee removals, that the speaker would “regret” giving him more “free time.”
“I’ve always believed that what’s right matters, that the truth matters, and that decency matters. And when a dangerous demagogue tried to undermine our democracy, I wasn’t about to let him,” Schiff said in his video announcement.
Feinstein, 89, said on Wednesday she would make a decision on whether to run for reelection in the next couple of months.
Regardless of when she announces her candidacy, it’s possible more representatives may be looking to flip over to the Senate, such as Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).
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Lee reportedly told many colleagues in early January that she plans to run in 2024 but has not publicly shared her plans due to Feinstein holding off on hers.
“What I said was that I’m very sensitive and honoring Sen. Feinstein,” Lee previously said. “As I talk about the Senate race, there’s a time and place that I’m going to talk about it.”
