Dianne Feinstein

Dianne Feinstein (D) is running for re-election for Senate in California.Feinstein is serving her 4th term and was elected last time with 59% of the vote. Her chances for re-election are excellent. At this point she has no primary race and 2 possible Republican challengers.

Senator Feinstein has been a solid vote and strong leader for women's rights. She sits on the powerful committees for Appropriations, Judiciary, Rules & Administration; and Chairs the Select Intelligence Committee.

Background:

• Elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, 1970-78; served as President 1970-71, 1974-75, 1978
• Mayor of San Francisco, 1978-88
• Elected to the Senate in 1992, making California the first state with two female senators (in addition to Senator Barbara Boxer)

Feinstein's Positions on Key Issues:

• Senator Feinstein is a key leader in the Senate on all women's rights
• She is a solid vote on all reproductive rights issues.
• The Senator is especially influential on the Judiciary Committee which deals with critical judicial appointments.
• Feinstein recently introduced legislation to rescind the Defense of Marriage Act.

Prospects: Kirkpatrick represents one of the most geographically and economically diverse districts in the nation. Her district has a large Native American population with whom Kirkpatrick has strong ties, having been born and raised on Apache land (in fact, her first words were in Apache). Republicans have targeted Kirkpatrick, hoping to turn her into a "one-term wonder" in a district that voted for McCain in 2008. For months they have been running radio-ads and robo-calls in her district, and Wall Street Journal recently named her one of the most vulnerable first-term congressional candidates.

General Election Opponents: None are confirmed, but possible opponents include:

• Steve Poizner (R), former State Insurance Commissioner of California, candidate in the 2010 California gubernatorial election
• Darrell Issa (R), U.S. Representative from California's 49th congressional district

Other Endorsements: Emily’s List, Women’s Campaign Forum

Website: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/