'She’s a legend': Top Dems remember 'trailblazer' Dianne Feinstein following death at 90
On Friday morning, September 29, the news broke that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) had passed away at 90.
Major political figures were quick to respond. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), according to ABC News, said of Feinstein, "She's a legend, a legend in California as the first woman senator. A legend in the Senate. She was the leader on so many different issues."
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) said, "Dianne Feinstein, right from the start, was an icon for women in politics."
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Another prominent California Democrat, former San Franciso Mayor Willie Brown, described Feinstein as a fighter for Black causes.
ABC News quoted Brown as saying, "I remember that I was trying to get a house here in San Francisco, when they wouldn't allow Black people easily to get houses. And there was a demonstration, and this angular tall, great looking white woman pushing a baby stroller with a little kid in it, who nobody knew anything about, came out to participate in the protest. That was Dianne Feinstein! And it was that long ago, and so, I am a great admirer."
On MSNBC, conservative "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough — a former GOP congressman — recalled that Feinstein rose to prominence at a time when California was still a "Republican state." And he noted that in a state known for prominent Republicans like President Ronald Reagan and former Gov. Pete Wilson, Feinstein was "always looking for bipartisan compromise."
Scarborough described Pelosi and Feinstein as "two women" from California who "had such an impact on the national stage."
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On MSNBC, former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) said of Feinstein, "She was old-school. And by that, I mean she was disgusted by the performance politics that have taken over…. She was a bipartisan senator."
Actor George Takei, on X (formerly Twitter), noted that Feinstein "was a trailblazer and a leading advocate for an assault weapons ban."
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-New York) tweeted, "Dianne Feinstein was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the most powerful voices in the Senate, and she blazed a trail for generations of women who followed her into elected office. I was so grateful to have her as my role model, my mentor, and a dear friend."
On X, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) posted, "Senator Dianne Feinstein was a champion for Gun Violence Prevention that broke barriers at all levels of government. We wouldn't have had an assault weapons ban if it wasn’t for Senator Feinstein and due to her tireless work, we will win it back. May her memory be a blessing."
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison tweeted, "I'm absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. She was a force for good and a titan of American politics. My deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and constituents. She will be missed. Rest in Peace Senator."
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