Dianne Feinstein, Trailblazing Longtime California Senator, Dies at 90

Jaden Thompson

Dianne Feinstein, the trailblazing senator who represented California for 30 years, died on Thursday night. She was 90.

The news was confirmed in a statement from Feinstein’s chief of staff, James Sauls, posted to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account: “Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great los for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving.”

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A longtime member of the Democratic party, Feinstein was the oldest sitting member of Congress. As a woman in public office, she broke many barriers throughout her career. She was the longest-serving woman in Congress as well as the first woman to serve as Senator of California and the first female mayor of San Francisco. She was elected senator in 1992 and eventually became a senior member of Congress. Feinstein announced in February 2023 that she would not be seeking reelection after her term ended in 2024, following a series of health issues that prompted public concern.

Feinstein, née Dianne Emiel Goldman, was born in San Francisco on June 22, 1933 and was raised in the Presidio Terrace district of the city. She graduated from Stanford University in 1955. Following the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978, Feinstein took on the role of mayor of San Francisco. She was elected to keep the position in 1979 and she served as mayor of the city until 1988.

As a senator, Feinstein voted on several pieces of legislation relating to the entertainment industry. For example, she supported the Music Modernization Act in 2018, which reformed the way that artists are paid for their work on streaming services. In 2005, Feinstein supported a bill that would make recording a film in a movie theater with a handheld camera a federal crime.

Charles Rivkin, the chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, paid tribute to Feinstein in a statement: “It is with sadness and condolences to her loved ones that we learn of Dianne Feinstein’s passing. Senator Feinstein’s pioneering firsts and incredible policy achievements have made an indelible mark on our nation. She fought doggedly for the people of San Francisco, California, and all Americans during every day she served in public office. She never compromised on her core values and fearlessly worked with policymakers of all stripes to deliver solutions. She was a tireless champion for the American film, television, and streaming industry and worked to protect the property rights that ensure the creative community can succeed. She will be dearly missed.”

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