Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), who announced her 2024 Senate run this week, on Wednesday said she has not had a chance to speak with incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
The progressive Democratic lawmaker said he had reached out to the 89-year-old senator through his staff.
“I look forward to getting the opportunity to speak from her and continue to learn from her,” Porter, who called Feinstein a “trailblazer,” told CNN’s Erin Burnett on “OutFront,” according to The Hill.
While Feinstein, who was first elected in 1992, has yet to announce whether she plans to run again, she issued a statement Tuesday saying she is focused on the deadly storm that has hit her state. The senator has faced questions about his fitness to serve, including from his fellow Democrats in the Senate.
“Everyone is always happy to throw their hat in the ring, and I will announce my plans for 2024 at the appropriate time,” Feinstein said.
However, the battle for his seat appears to be on. Apart from Porter, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has told her colleagues that she is preparing to run, while Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is thought to be mulling joining the contest.
In a separate interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell on Wednesday, Porter defended his decision to announce his Senate bid amid his state’s weather events.
“We need to send people to Washington who will solve this kind of problem,” he said. “This is the best thing we can do to make sure California and the country are safe moving forward.”
Porter defeated Republican Scott Baugh in a close race in California’s 47th Congressional District in the November midterm elections.