Today (Sept. 29), it’s been confirmed that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has died. A statement shared by her chief of staff, James Sauls, revealed that she transitioned at her home in Washington, D.C. and her passing is “a great loss for many.”
“Sen. Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation,” the message read, referring to the Democratic politician’s penchant for working with Republicans on several issues throughout her career. “There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state.”
From the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein: pic.twitter.com/rvcAmVk8O0
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) September 29, 2023
Feinstein, the oldest and longest-serving member of the Senate, was elected to her post in 1992 and was an outspoken advocate of gun control, environmental protection, and reproductive rights for women. Prior to that, she broke barriers as the first female governor of San Francisco, a position that she held from 1978 to 1988.
In recent years, many within the government ranks called for her resignation, much in part due to concerns regarding her health. Back in February, she responded by informing President Joe Biden and the public of her intent to step down following her current term.
“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” she said in a press release. Sen. Feinstein also expressed her continued dedication to attacking California wildfires, the need for advanced public healthcare, and homelessness before closing, “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives. Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”