2018 CA Primary Ballot - Race for the U.S. Senate
According to Ballotpedia there are 32 people currently seeking to be elected to one of the two U.S. Senate seats from California. The incumbent, 84 year old Dianne Feinstein and 31 others.
The Los Angeles Times has endorsed Dianne Feinstein for reelection, to what would be her fifth full term in office. She won election to the Senate in a special election in 1992 and was reelected in 1994. I've raised my issues with the age of elderly people serving in the House and Senate before. Senator Feinstein will be 85 on election day and if she served her full term and didn't seek election in 2024; she'd be 91 when she left office.
I do not doubt for a moment the veracity of this statement from the Los Angeles Times' editorial endorsing her:
"At 84, Feinstein is the oldest sitting U.S. senator, and that's raised questions about her ability to serve another full six-year term. But in interviews and hearings, Feinstein still shows a firm grasp of complicated policies and a deep understanding of the complex choices facing the country, both domestically and abroad."
I know all too well how the ravages of age can vary by a lot in specific instances as opposed to the generalizations we make about the elderly as a whole. When I first went to live in the Assisted Living Facility following my year-long hospitalization; one of the first friends I made was a retired attorney. He was at that time, 100 years of age. He mind was keen. He could talk cogently and clearly about any subject. He pursued women that caught his eye. I have no doubt that Senator Feinstein is still equally keen of mind. But there is no guarantee that will continue for six more years. It well may. It may not.
I also no longer believe that Senator Feinstein's age should disqualify her for another term, based on observing how she's conducted herself after the election of Donald Trump. But given the situation of 30 odd other people completing to run against her in November, it is important to consider the other candidates.
At first glance it seemed that CA State Senator Kevin de Leon, who is President Pro Tem of the state senate would be Feinstein's opponent in November. But recent pools indicate that a Republican, James P. Bradley is very close to de Leon.
If Senator Feinstein could win her seat outright by getting more than 50% of the total votes in the June primary, I would probably vote for her. I'm put off by Kevin de Leon's strident statement indicating he will refuse to work with Donald Trump. Appointing yourself as the "leader of the resistance" is one thing. Making it clear you won't compromise about anything makes you difficult to consider.
However, Senator Feinstein cannot win the election outright. No matter how many votes she gets on June 5th, she will compete in November against whoever finishes second. I want Democrats to have every possible chance to capture control of the U.S. House and Senate. A race between Senator Feinstein and any Republican could result in the diversion of resources into that race that could be spent elsewhere, on more important races. For that reason and that reason only, I will vote for Kevin de Leon on June 5th.
The Los Angeles Times has endorsed Dianne Feinstein for reelection, to what would be her fifth full term in office. She won election to the Senate in a special election in 1992 and was reelected in 1994. I've raised my issues with the age of elderly people serving in the House and Senate before. Senator Feinstein will be 85 on election day and if she served her full term and didn't seek election in 2024; she'd be 91 when she left office.
I do not doubt for a moment the veracity of this statement from the Los Angeles Times' editorial endorsing her:
"At 84, Feinstein is the oldest sitting U.S. senator, and that's raised questions about her ability to serve another full six-year term. But in interviews and hearings, Feinstein still shows a firm grasp of complicated policies and a deep understanding of the complex choices facing the country, both domestically and abroad."
I know all too well how the ravages of age can vary by a lot in specific instances as opposed to the generalizations we make about the elderly as a whole. When I first went to live in the Assisted Living Facility following my year-long hospitalization; one of the first friends I made was a retired attorney. He was at that time, 100 years of age. He mind was keen. He could talk cogently and clearly about any subject. He pursued women that caught his eye. I have no doubt that Senator Feinstein is still equally keen of mind. But there is no guarantee that will continue for six more years. It well may. It may not.
I also no longer believe that Senator Feinstein's age should disqualify her for another term, based on observing how she's conducted herself after the election of Donald Trump. But given the situation of 30 odd other people completing to run against her in November, it is important to consider the other candidates.
At first glance it seemed that CA State Senator Kevin de Leon, who is President Pro Tem of the state senate would be Feinstein's opponent in November. But recent pools indicate that a Republican, James P. Bradley is very close to de Leon.
If Senator Feinstein could win her seat outright by getting more than 50% of the total votes in the June primary, I would probably vote for her. I'm put off by Kevin de Leon's strident statement indicating he will refuse to work with Donald Trump. Appointing yourself as the "leader of the resistance" is one thing. Making it clear you won't compromise about anything makes you difficult to consider.
However, Senator Feinstein cannot win the election outright. No matter how many votes she gets on June 5th, she will compete in November against whoever finishes second. I want Democrats to have every possible chance to capture control of the U.S. House and Senate. A race between Senator Feinstein and any Republican could result in the diversion of resources into that race that could be spent elsewhere, on more important races. For that reason and that reason only, I will vote for Kevin de Leon on June 5th.
posted by me at 11:09 AM
<< Home