Senator Dianne Feinstein, aged 90, passed away last night. She’d been in declining health for some time. She leaves a legacy that is of note. She was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969. She ran for Mayor unsuccessfully in the 1970s and survived two assassination attempts before becoming acting Mayor after the murders of then Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.
She served as the Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988, and then ascended to the Senate in 1992 where she served until her passing. She was a strong supporter of women’s healthcare access and Abortion Rights. She supported Marriage Equality, having opposed DOMA upon its introduction in the Senate and worked for its repeal. She also actively worked towards safer gun policy as well.
Her record on other issues are a mixed bag, opposing single payer healthcare, advocating for the death penalty until late in her career, and arguably giving the Trump administration cover for suspending the DACA program.
Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer. I wish her family peace and may her memory be a blessing.