The upcoming race for California’s next U.S. senator came to the Inland Empire on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Democrats in the San Gorgonio Pass invited the top three candidates in their party to a Unity Luncheon to state the cases for their candidacy before a room full of Democratic partisans, operatives and donors.
Only Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, showed up at the event hosted by Riverside County’s Pass Democratic Club at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Cabazon. Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank; and Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, did not attend. Both sent proxies; Lee also recorded a video message.
The luncheon didn’t feature a formal debate — it was a “unity” luncheon, after all — but candidates and their representatives took the the time to present themselves and their platforms for the 2024 election.
The trio — three of the most prominent Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives — are vying to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose death created a rare opening for politicians in the nation’s most populous state to run for the Senate.
The event also featured shows of unity against former president Donald Trump.
“We have to stay unified and make sure that 45 is never reelected,” Chris Castorena, chair of Riverside County’s Pass Democrats Club said to applause as kicked off the event.
Porter told the crowd that said her passion for oversight is essential for good governance and for public trust.
“We need leaders who are committed to this oversight work,” Porter said.
“I am only the candidate in this Senate race who doesn’t take money from corporate lobbyists,” said Porter, who was scheduled to attend an event in Rancho Cucamonga after the luncheon. “When these CEOs come before me, they know that I cannot be bought.”
Porter said that “today we have a Senate where Mitch McConnell has stolen the Supreme Court. … Now, more than ever, California needs its best warrior fighting in the Senate.”
State Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, spoke on behalf of Schiff and started off with a joke.
“I know you’re disappointed that I’m not Adam Schiff,” he said. “I’m disappointed that I’m not Adam Schiff.”
Roth largely stuck to telling Schiff’s biography.
Lee was represented by a prominent local politician, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. But Lee also sent a video message.
In the video, Lee said it was difficult for women of color in politics to raise money, saying they had to “work twice as hard.”
Lee vowed not to take money from defense contractors, oil companies or certain corporations.
“I believe, as I know you do, that money is not speech and corporations are not people.”
She compared the U.S. to an ill patient that needed help.
“This country, in many ways, is sick,” Lee said. “We have been infected by greed, creating an economy that funnels wealth to the top. As someone with a background in mental health, let me tell you, I know sickness when I see it.”
The “cure,” she said it to fight to end poverty and corporate greed and to help working families.
Feinstein, who died in September at age 90, had a long Bay Area political career, including 10 years as mayor of San Francisco and 31 years in the U.S. Senate.
Lee, 77, has served in Congress since 1998. During her time in office, she’s been a leader in the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. According to the Congressional data website GovTrack.us, Lee is one of the most progressive members of the 118th Congress, well to the left of Feinstein. According to GovTrack.us, during the 117th Congress, she introduced 59 bills, two of which became law.
Porter, 49, has been in Congress since 2019. She’s gained social media fame for bringing a dry erase board, marker and detailed statistics to Congressional hearings. According to GovTrack.us, Porter is a little to the left ideologically of Feinstein and of House Democrats overall. During the 117th Congress, she introduced 48 bills, two of which became law.
Schiff, 63, has been a U.S. representative since 2003. A prominent Trump foe, Schiff served on the House select committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol, along with Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino. According to GovTrack.us, Schiff is a little to the left ideologically of Feinstein and House Democrats as a whole, nearly identical with Porter ideologically. During 117th Congress, he introduced 26 bills, one of which became law.
All three had thrown their hats in the ring before Feinstein’s death. Porter and Schiff made known their intention to pursue Feinstein’s seat even before she announced in February that she would not seek reelection to a sixth term in 2024. Lee announced her run the day after Feinstein’s announcement.
Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve the rest of Feinstein’s term in the Senate in October, has said she will not seek to be elected to a full six-year term in the Senate.
More on Dianne Feinstein’s former Senate seat
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 89, officially announces she won’t run again
- How much did your member of Congress get done last term?
- Dianne Feinstein, California’s longest serving U.S. senator, dies at 90
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death forces tough appointment on Gov. Newsom that could upend race
- Dianne Feinstein helped return Ontario Airport to Inland Empire control
- Laphonza Butler sworn in as 3rd Black female senator in US history to replace Dianne Feinstein
- Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024
The event concluded with remarks by Rep. Raul Ruiz, D- Palm Desert, who said the three candidates are “all very worthy.”
Ruiz also sounded the unity chord.
“It was Democrats who kept the government open,” he said. “It was Democrats who prevented a government default. It is the Democrats who are the grown-ups in the room.”
