Flags at San Francisco City Hall and other city buildings will remain lowered to half-staff through Sunday in honor of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose death at the age of 90 was announced Friday.
Feinstein’s Senate office staff confirmed the death of the trailblazing politician, who along with being the longest-serving woman senator in the nation’s history was San Francisco’s first woman mayor and first woman president of the city’s Board of Supervisors.
“Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving,” James Sauls, Feinstein’s chief of staff, said in a statement.
Feinstein, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, was a trailblazing politician — the first woman to be president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who became mayor in 1978 after the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.
The senator’s legacy of legislation passed included the enactment of a federal assault weapons ban in 1994, the creation of the nationwide Amber Alert network for missing children, and the release of a report into the CIA’s detention and interrogation practices that led to the passage of legislation to ensure that some post-Sept. 11 interrogation methods would never be used again.
Sauls said, “She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary. There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor and friend.”
Newsom’s big decision
Feinstein’s death will leave a big decision for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has to appoint her replacement to the Senate. She had announced back in February that she would not run for re-election and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, are among the candidates running in 2024 for the seat.
Newsom, himself a former San Francisco mayor, was among the local politicians to issue statements Friday morning mourning Feinstein’s death.
“Dianne Feinstein was many things — a powerful, trailblazing U.S. senator; an early voice for gun control; a leader in times of tragedy and chaos. But to me, she was a dear friend, a lifelong mentor, and a role model not only for me, but to my wife and daughters for what a powerful, effective leader looks like,” Newsom wrote.
“This is a sad day for California and the nation. Sen. Feinstein was a champion for our state, and served as the voice of a political revolution for women,” Lee wrote. “My profound condolences go out to her family and loved ones.”
Porter called Feinstein “a trailblazer for women in California politics, and her leadership on gun violence prevention and anti-torture made our nation more justice. I wish her loved ones strength during this difficult time.”
San Francisco City Hall was open early Friday afternoon to host the signing of condolence messages for Feinstein. Mayor London Breed’s office said City Hall is not accepting mementos, flowers or other gifts.