- California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly considering who to appoint if Senator Diane Feinstein resigns.
- One name Newsom is considering is media mogul Oprah Winfrey. According to Associated Press.
- Appointing celebrities might prevent Mr. Newsom from picking a favorite among actual politicians.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is considering appointing media mogul Oprah Winfrey if Senator Diane Feinstein’s seat becomes vacant amid growing health concerns.
According to Associated Press, Winfrey is among the names Mr. Newsom is considering appointing if Mr. Feinstein is willing to step aside.
The 89-year-old California senator returned to Washington on May 10 after being out of action for 10 weeks to be diagnosed and treated for shingles.
And while the idea of putting a celebrity with no political experience in a high-profile seat may seem like a coincidence, there may be some plan behind it. In 2021, Mr. Newsom promised to appoint a black woman to Mr. Feinstein’s post if it became vacant. The Associated Press argued that the appointment could be more of an interim role until Feinstein’s replacement is voted on in 2024.
Adding a celebrity to the seat could also help Mr. Newsom avoid picking a favorite among the actually declared Senate candidates, the Associated Press added. US Representative Barbara Lee is currently running against Rep. Katie Porter and Rep. Adam Schiff. Lee is black and Porter and Schiff are white.
As it stands, Newsom may not even have a chance at the appointment. Feinstein said he did not intend to leave the position before the end of his term in 2025. Feinstein’s office did not immediately respond to an insider’s request for comment.
Winfrey did not immediately respond to an insider’s request for comment.
In 2018, Oprah’s friends encouraged her to run for president in 2020. According to CNN, But she has publicly denied having presidential ambitions.
According to the Associated Press, Newsom is considering Winfrey as a candidate if there is a change in Feinstein’s health or his decision to see him through to the end of his term.
Recent reports have raised concerns that Feinstein didn’t know he was gone from the Senate for nearly three months. Insider’s “Red, White and Gray” project highlighted that Congress is aging more than ever, with Feinstein becoming the oldest sitting member of Congress.
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to an insider’s request for comment.