Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) was hospitalized in San Francisco on Thursday for shingles, the senator said in a statement.
“I was diagnosed over the February recess with a case of shingles,” Feinstein said in her statement. “I have been hospitalized and am receiving treatment in San Francisco and expect to make a full recovery. I hope to return to the Senate later this month.”
Democrats have worried for some time about how much longer Feinstein, who is nearly 90 years old, will be able to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Just last month, her office put out a statement on Twitter saying that she was not seeking re-election.
“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,” Feinstein wrote on Twitter. “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,” she added. “My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”
When asked about her decision to retire, Feinstein appeared confused by the question.
“I haven’t made that decision,” she told reporters. “I haven’t released anything.”
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One of her staffers told her that they “put out the statement.”
“You put out the statement?” she reportedly responded. “I didn’t know they put it out.”
“It is what it is,” she told reporters. “I think the time has come.”
Democrat candidates are already chomping at the bit to replace the 89-year-old, with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) having announced campaigns for the seat.