Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday threw her support behind Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) in what is shaping up as a competitive 2024 Senate race in California if Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) chooses not to run.

“If Senator Feinstein decides to seek reelection, she has my whole-hearted support,” Pelosi said in a statement. “If she decides not to run, I will be supporting House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who knows well the nexus between a strong Democracy and a strong economy.”

[Interesting to see Pelosi get behind the white male candidate in a primary where a female member of Congress is already in the race, and where California Democrats had demanded a woman of color for Gavin Newsom’s appointment in 2021 for the seat held by Kamala Harris. Has that impulse disappeared in Pelosi’s party, or is she out of touch? Karen Bass could still jump into the race, even after winning the LA mayoral election last year, which would put Pelosi on the spot. Barbara Lee, another House Democrat woman of color, may also choose to run. Lee’s a little old for the race at 76 now and 78 in the 2024 general election, but she’s got a lot more seniority than Schiff and a better track record on honesty, at least. — Ed]