California won’t have a female senator for the first time in three decades after two men advanced on Super Tuesday to the general election for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D) seat.
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey emerged from the Golden State’s nonpartisan primary Tuesday, in which the top two vote-getters move on, regardless of party affiliation.
Schiff had appeared to push for a race with the Republican to set himself up for an easier partisan contest in the blue stronghold state, and the Super Tuesday results boxed out two progressive Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.
Both candidates fell short of the top-two slots, meaning the Golden State next year won’t have a woman in the upper chamber — a first in decades.
Feinstein, who passed away last year at age 90, had held her Senate seat since 1992. She and former Sen. Barbara Boxer were both elected that year, marking the first time a state sent two women to the Senate concurrently in what became known as the “Year of the Woman” for the Senate.
Feinstein’s vacancy is currently filled by Sen. Laphonza Butler (D) after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed her to hold the seat.
The Golden State’s other senator is Democrat Alex Padilla, who replaced now-Vice President Harris.
