Tributes poured in Friday after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death at age 90. Local, state, and national officials remembered Feinstein, who represented California in the Senate for 31 years, as a trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings for women in politics.
Listen and subscribe to The L.A. Local podcast: your TL;DR for what's happening in Southern California
“Dianne Feinstein was maybe the most influential Californian elected official of my lifetime, and had in so many ways bent the arc of history nationally,” Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener.
“When you reflect on her accomplishments and her journey, there’s so much there to really sort of think about and reflect on, and really it would be an honor to leave this world with a legacy like that,” said L.A. Councilmember Traci Park.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told KNX News that she worked with Feinstein to save the county’s health department from bankruptcy in the 1990s.
“She was instrumental in working with the Clinton administration to get a waiver for L.A. County so that we could actually redirect dollars from hospitals to outpatient, and that arguably was a game-changer for not only the county of Los Angeles but healthcare in general,” Barger said.
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis called Feinstein “a force of nature and one the most effective Senators in history.”
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said the senator was “a visionary trailblazer” who broke ceilings for other women.
"Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer on whose shoulders I, and women in elected office all across America, will always stand,” said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. “She worked harder than anyone I knew on Capitol Hill, and she will be remembered as one of the most effective and impactful Senators in American history.”
Bass added that the flags at all city facilities will be lowered to half-staff in memory of Feinstein.
"Often the only woman in the room, Dianne was a role model for so many Americans -- a job she took seriously by mentoring countless public servants, many of whom now serve in my administration.” said President Joe Biden. “Dianne was tough, sharp, always prepared, and never pulled a punch, but she was also a kind and loyal friend, and that's what Jill and I will miss the most."
Former President Barack Obama called Feinstein a "trailblazer" who broke barriers for women in politics.
"I first got to know Dianne in the Senate, where she was a fierce advocate for gun safety measures and civil rights,” he said. “Later, when I was president, I came to rely on her as a trusted partner in the fight to guarantee affordable healthcare and economic opportunity for everyone.
In a speech on the Senate floor, fellow California Senator Alex Padilla recalled that one of his first jobs in politics was in Feinstein’s Los Angeles office.
“At a time early in my career, when I was looking to make a difference for my community and for our state, it's in part thanks to her groundbreaking career that a Latino son of immigrants could one day not just work for her but work alongside her to keep up the fight for the American dream,” he said.
Rep. Ted Lieu called Feinstein “a barrier-breaker and an icon."
"Through grit, grace and incredible intelligence, she succeeded in politics at a time when few women could. She paved the way for a historic number of women to have a seat at the table and a voice in Congress," he said.
Rep. Adam Schiff, who is running to succeed Feinstein in the Senate in 2024, highlighted the senator’s accomplishments during her three decades on Capitol Hill.
"Senator Feinstein single-handedly pushed an assault weapons ban over the finish line, and never gave up her fight to end gun violence,” he said. “She fought powerful agencies to investigate and uncover torture -- and made sure it would never happen again. She helped protect California's natural beauty and preserve its lands for generations. And she always fought for LGBTQ rights and women's equality throughout her career."
Former KNX News anchor Dick Helton, who interviewed Feinstein frequently during her time in the Senate, recalled that she “appreciated the tough questions” and “you had to be at the top of your game” while talking to her. He added that “her legacy will live long beyond this morning.”
Feinstein was the longest-serving female senator in U.S. history. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to name her replacement.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok