Oct. 16 (UPI) — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, one of the longest-serving current members of the U.S. Senate, will face a challenger in the 2018 Democratic primary.
California State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, 50, announced he will take on Feinstein, 84, in an email to supporters Sunday. De León indicated that Feinstein has not done enough to counter the Trump administration and presented himself as one who would fight for progressive values.
“We now stand at the front lines of a historic struggle for the very soul of America, against a President without one,” de León said in a video statement, according to CNN. “Every day, his administration wages war on our people and our progress. He disregards our voices. Demonizes our diversity. Attacks our civil rights, our clean air, our health access and our public safety. We can lead the fight against his administration, but only if we jump into the arena together.”
But Feinstein has represented California in the U.S. Senate since 1992. And when she announced her re-election bid last week, she was almost immediately met with endorsements from some of California’s most prominent politicians, including Sen. Kamala Harris, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Sen. Barbra Boxer.
On Tuesday night, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke in support of Feinstein’s re-election at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills, reported the Los Angeles Times.
Along with being one of the longest-serving members of the U.S. Senate, Feinstein is one of the wealthiest and is able to fund her own campaign.
De León acknowledges that his name recognition and fundraising ability pales in comparison to Feinstein.
“It will be David and Goliath…I’m under no illusion,” he told Politico.
