Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced on Thursday that he will run for the Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein.
Schiff, a former House Intelligence Committee chair and proponent of the unfounded Trump-Russia collusion theory, posted a video to Twitter highlighting his case, dedicating multiple portions of the ad to former President Donald Trump and impeachment.
“Today’s Republican Party is gutting the middle class, threatening our democracy. They aren’t going to stop. We have to stop them,” Schiff said. “The struggle isn’t over. Not for me, not for you, not for our country.”
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
The announcement comes the day after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) informed Schiff that he would be kicked off the Intelligence Committee, a move Schiff called “petty political payback.” The Republican leader cited Schiff’s lack of “integrity.”
Schiff is the latest Democrat to seek the seat Feinstein, 89, has held since the early 1990s. Although she had not publicly revealed whether she will run again, Feinstein’s advanced age and the recent loss of her husband have caused many to speculate that she will decide to retire from the Senate at the end of 2024.
Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), who has been hailed as a strong “progressive” by the Left, announced her candidacy in mid-January as California was dealing with an onslaught of severe weather. Shortly after, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) told Congressional Black Caucus members that she plans to run for the seat as well, two sources familiar with the matter reportedly told POLITICO.
Feinstein said she would reveal her 2024 plans at a later date.
“Everyone is of course welcome to throw their hat in the ring, and I will make an announcement concerning my plans for 2024 at the appropriate time. Right now I’m focused on ensuring California has all the resources it needs to cope with the devastating storms slamming the state and leaving more than a dozen dead,” said Feinstein.