Barbara Lee files for U.S. Senate run
Rob Bonta is eyeing his next move, and another joins big SD7 race; Supervisor Valle's memorial set; Turmoil at two East Bay school districts
ELECTION 2024
THE FIELD
—BLEE FILES—Rep. Barbara Lee filed paperwork to join the 2024 U.S. Senate race on Wednesday. The filing was first noticed by Rob Pyers at the Target Book.
—The move is no surprise. Various sources have speculated that Lee is likely to officially announce her candidacy sometime this month.
—Lee would join fellow Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff in the primary race next year to replace the retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna is also a possibility.
—Khanna’s inclusion would match two Northern California progressives against Porter, an equally progressive elected official, and Schiff, who is somewhat closer to moderates.
—Lee’s candidacy for the senate will seriously complicate decisions for some East Bay candidates who are also looking at replacing termed out state Sen. Nancy Skinner.
—Lee’s congressional district would suddenly be up-for-grabs and it mostly overlaps Skinner’s state senate district.
—Then again, the 2024 primary is in March, and that’s a long time. In such a strong field, it’s possible that Lee’s senate campaign flames out early.
—Any candidate seeking Lee’s congressional seat may run the risk of putting themselves in an uncomfortable position of exiting the race because Lee returns for re-election. Then again, Lee might just retire, too.
—BONTA’S NEXT MOVE—Surrogates, friends, and supporters of Attorney General Rob Bonta say he is seriously eyeing a run for California governor in 2026, perhaps, earlier if something unforeseen leads Gov. Gavin Newson to run for president in 2024…
