Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has died at 90.
Hospitalization for shingles and other health problems led to her prolonged absence from the Senate in early 2023 and an inconsistent voting record when she returned in May. California’s longest-serving senator announced that she planned to retire at the end of her term in 2024.
The 17th Amendment sets out the rules for how Feinstein will be replaced in the Senate:
When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
That means Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the opportunity to select Feinstein’s replacement until the next election.
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