Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at 90
By Michael Blood and Mary Clare Jalonick
Associated Press
Published: Sep 29, 2023 at 8:01 am
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a centrist Democrat who was elected to the Senate in 1992 in the “Year of the Woman” and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. She was 90.
Three people familiar with the situation confirmed her death to The Associated Press on Friday.
Feinstein, the oldest sitting U.S. senator, was a passionate advocate for liberal priorities important to her state — including environmental protection, reproductive rights and gun control — but was also known as a pragmatic lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.
She was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969 and became its first female president in 1978, the same year Mayor George Moscone was gunned down alongside Supervisor Harvey Milk at City Hall by Dan White, a disgruntled former supervisor. Feinstein found Milk’s body.
After Moscone’s death, Feinstein became San Francisco’s first female mayor. In the Senate, she was one of California’s first two female senators, the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.
Although Feinstein was not always embraced by the feminist movement, her experiences colored her outlook through her five decades in politics.
The Recount (@therecount) posted at 7:47 AM on Fri, Sep 29, 2023:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has died at the age of 90.
“She was the first woman president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman mayor of San Francisco, and one of two of the first women elected to the U.S. Senate from California.”
https://t.co/X7EWQI2IF2 https://t.co/4oOYIk9SpC
(https://x.com/therecount/status/1707738763814695180?t=iEa_q9tUxTH9vAA3iqxSSg&s=03)
Jennifer Truthful, Not Neutral Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) posted at 7:53 AM on Fri, Sep 29, 2023:
I will remember her as a rock after the horrible double murder in SF and fearless advocate for gun safety. She was a trailblazer. Her last years do not define a life of public service.
(https://x.com/JRubinBlogger/status/1707740402005024944?t=hdP2PAYC0amwf6prYlQ-Yw&s=03)
If you are in San Francisco:
The public is invited to pay respects to Sen. Dianne Feinstein Wednesday as she lies in state at San Francisco City Hall, according to her office.
People will be able to attend and sign a condolence book from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
. . .
The following day, a funeral service will be held for the senator at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in the Herbst Theater. While that event won’t be open to the public, a simulcast of the service will be available at city hall and online.
After the service Thursday, Feinstein will be buried at a private ceremony with family.
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) tweeted at 8:47 AM on Fri, Sep 29, 2023:
With persistence, grit and grace, Senator Dianne Feinstein broke barriers, shattered glass ceilings and moved our nation closer to its ideals. As a new senator, I was blessed by her kindness and inspired by her example. https://t.co/TphL4DN3tI
(https://twitter.com/SenatorWarnock/status/1707753933844746345?s=02)
Candidly Tiff (@tify330) tweeted at 3:54 PM on Fri, Sep 29, 2023:
Beautiful tribute by Alex Padilla. If you have 10 minutes watch the full speech but this part touched my heart. 🕊️ https://t.co/zxYsMVHHrE
(https://twitter.com/tify330/status/1707861333083918621?s=02)
Candidly Tiff (@tify330) tweeted at 8:22 AM on Fri, Sep 29, 2023:
I will always remember how Dianne Feinstein was treated and talked about while living especially the last few months. I will say more later but I need a few hours to process her sudden death.
(https://twitter.com/tify330/status/1707747674848465004?s=02)
RIP :(
Thank you for your service and being a trailblazer.