Lee supporters reignite pressure on Newsom over Senate appointment

The Congressional Black Caucus wrote to Newsom on Sunday voicing "strong support for Congresswoman Barbara Lee for that appointment."

Allies of Rep. Barbara Lee are mounting a last-ditch effort to persuade Gov. Gavin Newsom to reverse himself and appoint Lee to the U.S. Senate.

The pressure campaign intensified in the hours and days since Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death as Lee’s supporters — both outside advocates and members of the Congressional Black Caucus — sought to seize a narrow window of opportunity, arguing Newsom’s public disinclination to pick Lee had sidelined the best-qualified Black woman.

The Black caucus, in a letter to Newsom on Sunday, wrote that they commend the governor for his “courageous commitment to rectify the gross imbalance in representation in the higher chamber by appointing a Black woman to fill the seat, and want to voice our strong support for Congresswoman Barbara Lee for that appointment,” stated the letter.

“She is the only person with the courage, the vision, and the record to eradicate poverty, face down the fossil fuel industry, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda,” the CBC wrote in the letter, signed by Chair Steven Horsford.

Feinstein’s death puts Newsom in an unenviable position as he selects his second U.S. senator in three years. In March, the Democratic governor vowed to choose a Black woman if Feinstein could not complete her term. Then, earlier this month, he said he would not choose any of the candidates already running to replace Feinstein — a category that includes Lee. His position angered Lee supporters and opened a rift with Newsom.

“She has what it takes to get to work on day one and will ensure we continue to build beyond this moment in our nation's history and serve as a powerful advocate for the people of California,” said Glynda C. Carr, Higher Heights PAC President & CEO, in a statement. The political action committee is focused on electing more progressive Black women to state and federal office.

Lee herself has focused on publicly lauding Feinstein and has refrained from speaking out publicly since the senator’s death. Some of the same network that urged Newsom to replace Kamala Harris with a Black woman when the now vice president departed for the White House is now urging Newsom to reconsider Lee.

They are emphasizing the importance of Black women to the Democratic Party — an important consideration for Newsom as he bolsters his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 run.

“Barbara Lee, and Black women, are not mere caretakers, but the voting and organizing center of the national Democratic Party,” said Aimee Allison, whose organization She the People advocates for women of color in politics. “Governor Newsom should use the full force of his political influence, as he did with the appointment of Senator Padilla, to ensure Black women in California and every state are represented for the long term,” Allison said in a statement.

But appointing Lee would carry political downsides. She has consistently trailed opponents in polls for the Senate race, namely Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter. Newsom could face accusations of having overridden voters in an active Senate race if he appoints Lee. The governor cited that logic when he explained his preference for not tipping the scales.

“It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off,” Newsom said on “Meet the Press” earlier this month. “That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that.”

Choosing one of the three House members running for Feinstein’s seat could also anger members of California’s Democratic delegation. While some of those members have backed Lee, more of them have endorsed Schiff — including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, with whom Newsom has a close relationship.