CA-SEN: Lee supporters reignite pressure on Newsom over Senate appointment

[RandySF]

Allies of Rep. Barbara Lee are mounting a last-ditch effort to persuade Gov. Gavin Newsom to reverse himself and appoint Lee to the U.S. Senate.

The pressure campaign intensified in the hours and days since Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death as Lee’s supporters — both outside advocates and members of the Congressional Black Caucus — sought to seize a narrow window of opportunity, arguing Newsom’s public disinclination to pick Lee had sidelined the best-qualified Black woman.

The Black caucus, in a letter to Newsom on Sunday, wrote that they commend the governor for his “courageous commitment to rectify the gross imbalance in representation in the higher chamber by appointing a Black woman to fill the seat, and want to voice our strong support for Congresswoman Barbara Lee for that appointment,” stated the letter.

“She is the only person with the courage, the vision, and the record to eradicate poverty, face down the fossil fuel industry, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda,” the CBC wrote in the letter, signed by Chair Steven Horsford.



https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/01/lee-newsom-senate-appointment-00119344

[Sympthsical]

1. This just isn't a good look

Disappointing.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Barbara Lee is a very big name

In the 1990s, I was active in environmental and health issues, and someone from her office contacted me. Or at least I think he was from her office, because he was saying she would be taking action on this or that. That was a big deal to me. I'm not even from here state, then or now. And the rest of officialdom was asleep on the issue.

Californians are lucky, it's such a big state they have many excellent choices for Senator. Wish we could elect them all.

[T_A]

3. Newsom's Promise

was in regards to replacing Feinstein if she stepped down, this is merely a temporary replacement.

[LoisB]

4. I like Barbara Lee but NO. She is running for that seat and being even the "interim" incumbent

would give her a leg up on the others. Besides, Gov. Newsom has already said he would not pick anyone who is running for the seat. Barbara Boxer would be ideal if she will do it.

[temporary311]

5. I hope Newsom

sticks to picking someone who isn't running.

[montanacowboy]

6. He shouldn't pick Lee

she should run along with the others; it's not right for him to choose her and give her a huge edge over everyone else for the general. There are lot's of good Dems he can choose from to fill the "interim" position.

[quaint]

7. There is more than one qualified Black woman in California who is not running for Senate.

Geez. I'd be upset if Newsom appointed any of the candidates to the seat.

[Emile]

8. That would be unfair.

[LiberalFighter]

9. I wish they didn't primary each other.

It would mean losing the other two good candidates in the House.

[Hekate]

10. No. Representative Lee is running for that seat. If she drops out of her long-shot run, then okay...

You know what I find ironic, after all the carrying-on over the age of Senators and Reps? Barbara Lee is 77, and will be 78 by the time the election rolls around.