Hospitalization for shingles and other health problems led to her prolonged absence from the Senate in early 2023 and an inconsistent voting record when she returned in May. California's longest-serving senator announced that she planned to retire at the end of her term in 2024.

The 17th Amendment sets out the rules for how Feinstein will be replaced in the Senate:

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

That means Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the opportunity to select Feinstein's replacement until the next election.

Newsom said in 2021 that he would nominate a black woman to fill Feinstein's seat.

However, he more recently said that he would merely be nominating an "interim" candidate and wouldn't get involved in the Democratic primary.

Some Democrats have voiced unhappiness with Newsom's position.

Rep. Barbara Lee, a Democrat considered a leading candidate to replace Feinstein, blasted Newsom on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I am troubled by the Governor's remarks," she wrote in early September. "The idea that a black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election."

The last Republican senator in California, John Seymour, was appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson in 1991. Wilson was also a Republican.

California's other senator, Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was also appointed by Newsom when Kamala Harris became vice president and vacated her seat in 2021. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Jarrett Stepman is a columnist for The Daily Signal.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Get Him!': Watch as Brave Man Rescues Portion of American Flag Being Burned by 'Pro-Hamas Agitators' [Video]

A Growing Global Movement of Parents Is Keeping Their Kids Free from Smartphones

Democrat Downplays That Bill Would Cost Trump His Secret Service Detail

Teacher's Union Accused of Laundering $1.5 Million to Bankroll Dem Governor Josh Shapiro's Campaign

Dan Bongino: 9 Reasons to Vote for Kamala Harris

New Comms Director for Kamala Harris Campaign Wants to Pack the Supreme Court and Defund the Police

Pro-Life Protester Sentenced to More Than 3 Years Behind Bars for Blocking Abortion Clinic

Ben Carson Gives Perfect Defense of Pro-Life Position and Much More, in Powerful Tucker Carlson Interview [Watch]

Pastor Faced Death Threats, Had to Go into Hiding after Revealing Political Beliefs: 'I Reject the Victimhood Mentality'

'Hey Mom, I'm Trans!': The Truth About the Gender Dysphoria Deception, from a Mom in the Middle of It

These Important Election Integrity Initiatives Might Be on Your 2024 Ballot

Harris Campaign Admits to Misleading Voters on Trump, Project 2025

Pro-Harris Media Scrambles to Erase 'Border Czar' from Her Resume as GOP Highlights Her Record

House Republicans Raise American Flags at Union Station in DC after Chaotic Protesting Hamas Supporters Took Down and Burned Flags

Netanyahu Hails Israeli-US Bond, Reminds Protesters Israel the 'Land of the Bible' for 4,000 Years

'Influencing the Culture': Megachurch Equipping Churches to Mobilize Voters Ahead of November Election

Pray: Elderly Trump Supporter Run Over in Front Yard

Elon Musk Says AI Must Be 'Pro-Human,' Is Alarmed by Technological Developments

The Man and the Motive: Behind Musk's War on the 'Woke Mind Virus,' and Why He Fights for Children

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Promises Bill Protecting Rights to Refuse Vaccines Is Coming