Oprah Winfrey shared that she is not interested in the Senate seat of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) if she retires early over health issues.
The statement came after rumors last week suggested that Gov. Gavin Newsom could appoint the talk show host as Feinstein's replacement
.@Oprah Winfrey says she is not interested in replacing @SenFeinstein should she resign early over medical problems.
Representatives for Winfrey threw cold water on the idea after her name was floated this week as a potential replacement.https://t.co/MsVEtjo9hM
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 26, 2023
"'Oprah Winfrey is not considering the seat should it become vacant,' her spokesperson said, ending speculation about the talk show legend entering politics," according to the Washington Examiner.
"Feinstein, the Senate's oldest member at 89, had been gone from the upper chamber since receiving a shingles diagnosis in February," it added.
Gavin Newsom could pick Oprah for Senate if Feinstein retires: report https://t.co/3w1JO0Ekjt
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 24, 2023
"Feinstein has pledged to retire at the end of her current term, but The Associated Press indicated that several names have already been thrown into the mix should the California Democrat step aside early. One of those is reportedly billionaire TV host Winfrey," Fox News previously reported.
"After receiving blowback from some progressive groups for failing to appoint a Black woman to replace now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Newsom has sworn to do so if he got another chance to send someone to the Senate," it added.
The latest update seeks to put an end to the rumor of Oprah as a potential Senate replacement.
However, many lawmakers, including several Democrats, have been calling for Feinstein to retire early due to her health issues that have stalled decisions over decisions on judicial nominees and have left here party one vote short on a variety of bills.
The concerns add to health problems with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) who has missed several weeks of his first term with clinical depression and has exhibited health concerns when in the Senate.
The ongoing health issues for Democrats may also be an issue when the 2024 election arrives and several members choose not to seek reelection.
