Feinstein to stay in Senate regardless of husband’s job
WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein confirmed Wednesday that her husband is interested in an ambassadorship from President Biden but said that wouldn’t take her out of the Senate.
The California Democrat was responding to a story in the New York Times that her husband, Richard Blum, an investment banker, wanted a European posting from Biden. The report suggested the effort could move Feinstein out of the Senate as well.
But while Feinstein told reporters in the Capitol on Wednesday that her husband “is interested,” she said it wouldn’t mean she would leave her job early.
“No, no, no,” she said.
Blum was a top fundraiser for Biden’s campaign. He and Feinstein raised more than $100,000 to support the president, according to a campaign disclosure. Plum ambassador posts like those in Europe are often bestowed upon generous donors, though Biden has faced pressure to buck the spoils tradition.
The news that Blum is seeking a job comes as scrutiny of Feinstein’s future in the Senate has intensified. At 87, Feinstein is the oldest senator, and she has dodged questions of her sharpness in recent years. She gave up her leadership position on the Judiciary Committee this year as she also faced criticism from progressive groups over not being aggressive enough with Republicans on key judicial confirmations.
The speculation only intensified Monday, when Gov. Gavin Newsom told MSNBC he would name a Black woman to her seat if she were to step down early. Both Feinstein and Newsom brushed those comments aside the following day, saying they weren’t meant to imply she was considering retiring.
Feinstein said she “absolutely” intends to serve the rest of her Senate term, which runs though 2024.
This is not the first media headache Blum has created for Feinstein in recent months. The University of California regent admitted he wrote recommendation letters for connected applicants amid an admissions scandal audited by the state, and some of his stock trades during the pandemic, none of which Feinstein was involved in, caused her to be questioned by federal investigators. That inquiry was closed without any findings of wrongdoing.
Feinstein, who as a senator votes on ambassador nominations and remains close with Biden, said Wednesday that she had no comment on whether her husband might get a post.
“Don’t ask me that,” she said. “I’m trying to stay away.”