California Democrats Decline To Endorse Sen. Dianne Feinstein

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Delegates at this weekend's California Democratic Party State Convention have decided against making endorsements among the candidates for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate, a race where incumbent Dianne Feinstein is seeking a sixth term at age 84.

The gubernatorial vote was splintered among the top four candidates: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, according to the Los Angeles Times, an outcome that was widely expected.

A split vote also derailed an endorsement in the race for attorney general between incumbent Xavier Becerra, who took office in January 2017 after being appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to replace Sen. Kamala Harris, and former state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The tally was 56 percent for Jones and 42 percent for Becerra, the Times reported.

But the indecision in the race for U.S. Senate was seen as a rejection of Feinstein, the Senate's oldest member who is facing an insurgent challenge from state Senate leader Kevin de Leon, who at 51 is more than three decades younger and considered more progressive. The vote was 54 percent for de Leon and 37 percent for Feinstein.

"The outcome of today's endorsement vote is an astounding rejection of politics as usual, and it boosts our campaign's momentum as we all stand shoulder to shoulder against a complacent status quo," de Leon said late Saturday in a prepared statement.

Recent statewide polls show Feinstein with a sizeable lead over de Leon.

An estimated 3,400 delegates have participated in the convention, which wraps up Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center. To gain an endorsement, a candidate must receive 60 percent of the votes cast.

Candidates who won endorsements included incumbent state Controller Betty Yee, state Sen. Ricardo Lara for insurance commissioner, incumbent Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Board of Equalization member Fiona Ma for state treasurer and Assemblyman Tony Thurmond for state superintendent of public instruction.
During Sunday's session, the delegates will adopt the 2018 party platform and ratify endorsements for congressional and legislative races made earlier at pre-endorsing conferences and endorsement caucuses .

The three-day convention began Friday with a series of caucus meetings, workshops and panel discussions.

--City News Service

--Photo: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks at the 2018 California Democrats State Convention Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)