Breaking News: Representative Barbara Lee of California said she would run in 2024 for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.https://t.co/HU0VXjwosr

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 21, 2023

[Well, well, well. This will test the Democrats’ internal cohesion significantly. Party activists had demanded that Gavin Newsom appoint a black woman to replace Kamala Harris, but he picked Alex Padilla instead. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter have already announced their campaigns to replace Feinstein; will they withdraw in Lee’s favor, or block the one black woman in the race (so far)?

Also worth noting: Lee is going to be 78 by the time the general election rolls around. That’s pretty old to be running for a first Senate campaign, even by Senate standards. — Ed]