Unclear Future For Diane Feinstein As Hospitalization Announced

Feinstein is 89 years old, and there have been many questions about her health recently.

She is the oldest member of the Senate, but she told the New York Post that she hopes to return to the Senate “by the end of the month.” She released a statement through her spokesperson that read:

“I was diagnosed over the February recess with a case of shingles. I have been hospitalized and am receiving treatment in San Francisco and expect to make a full recovery,”

Shingles is not a life-threatening virus, but it can still cause the victim a lot of pain and difficult blisters. The Senator is suffering through this pain, which may mean that the shingles could contribute to other complex health issues for herself.

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The CDC reports that shingles are a virus that typically clears up after two to four weeks, but that period can be excruciating for the person. Symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach. The Senator’s office did not release information about where she is receiving treatment for this illness.

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March 05, 2023

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Senator said she began feeling unwell in February. She had to sit out in the Senate to address those issues. She missed 12 votes and two committee hearings during that time. Her absence has caused much concern among California Democrats and others. They are concerned about her ability to keep up with her responsibilities in the Senate. They wonder if they need to consider a replacement for her job.

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Feinstein has already announced that she will not seek re-election in 2024. Three Democrats, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee, have announced campaigns to replace her next year.

This news should make for a very competitive primary on the Democrat side. The seat is considered a safe seat for Democrats, so it is doubtful to change parties. Instead, it is simply likely that one of those three Democrats will ultimately emerge as the new Senator from California and get sworn in come January 2025. Despite the election being nearly two years away, they are all actively working on the campaign, even as we speak.