California Governor Gavin Newsom Commits to Interim Appointment for Senate Seat in Event of Feinstein Resignation

California Governor Gavin Newsom has made it clear that he will not appoint any of the contenders in the upcoming Senate race to replace Senator Dianne Feinstein in the event that she resigns. In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Newsom said he would instead make an “interim appointment” to fill the seat until the primary election on March 5.

Newsom said he did not want to interfere with the primary, which currently has three high-profile California Democrats vying for the seat. These include Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee. Lee had previously been seen as Newsom’s first choice to fill a potential vacancy, but her allies now have reason to believe otherwise.

The Governor’s decision not to appoint any of the contenders could be a blow to Lee, who is currently trailing in polls behind Schiff and Porter. Newsom said he did not want to “tip the balance” of the primary, which is just a matter of months away.

The decision to make an interim appointment rather than appoint one of the contenders has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised Newsom for his commitment to fairness and democracy, while others have argued that the Governor should have the right to appoint a candidate of his choosing.

Regardless, Newsom’s decision is a clear indication of his commitment to the democratic process and his desire to ensure that the people of California have a say in who will represent them in the Senate. The primary election on March 5 will be a crucial moment in deciding who will fill the seat, should Feinstein resign before then.