Newsom Says He Will Nominate a Black Woman if Feinstein Steps Down

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is vowing to nominate a Black woman to fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) seat if she decides to step down.

“If, in fact, 👤Dianne Feinstein were to retire, will you nominate an African American woman?” MSNBC’s Joy Reid asked during Monday’s interview. She noted Vice President Kamala Harris, who was a senator from California, is no longer in the Senate.

Newsom responded, “I have multiple names in mind. We have multiple names in mind — and the answer is yes.”

Feinstein has been serving in the Senate since her election in 1992.

Her term is up in January 2025, but she has faced pressure from some progressive Democrats to step down. However, Feinstein has not indicated she will be stepping down.

Watch Newsom’s comments below:

Newsom faced pressure to nominate a Black woman to fill Harris’s seat in the Senate.

At the end of last year, the California governor chose Alex Padilla, former California’s secretary of state, for the role to finish Harris’s term.

Harris was the only Black woman senator at the time that she was elected vice president, Politico notes.

Additionally, there is a pressure of a recall of Newsom.

He has shot back at the recall, tweeting Monday, “I won’t be distracted by this partisan, Republican recall – but I will fight it. There is too much at stake.”