
In a stunning rebuke, five-term Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein failed to gain the endorsement of her own party Saturday.
But her rival — state Sen. Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles — also fell short of the 60 percent vote needed to assure backing by the California Democratic Party.
According to results from the party convention at the San Diego Convention Center, de Leon, 51, won votes of 54 percent of the 2,775 delegates casting ballots in that race.
Feinstein, 84, was backed by 37 percent, with Los Angeles civil rights attorney Pat Harris getting 5 percent.
In the endorsement race for governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom edged state Treasurer John Chiang, 39 percent to 30 percent, with former state school chief Delaine Eastin third at 20 percent and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa a surprising fourth at 9 percent.
Thus state Democrats won’t endorse in that June primary race either.
Also notable was state Attorney General Xavier Becerra failing to get his party’s backing for election.
He was beat by state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, 56 percent to 42 percent.
On Sunday, Becerra — who Gov. Jerry Brown named to replace Kamala Harris after she won election to the U.S. Senate — said: “I’m deeply honored to have received the support of so many California Democratic Party delegates…. Working with vigor and determination, we will make 2018 an historic year for Democrats.”
No endorsement was made in the race for lieutenant governor either.
But other statewide offices saw endorsements:
- Betty Yee for re-election to state controller.
- Alex Padilla for re-election as secretary of state.
- Ricardo Larafor insurance commissioner.
- Fiona Ma for state treasurer.
- And Tony Thurmond for state superintendent of public instruction.
Branded as a “corporate Democrat” by some in her party, Feinstein lost favor among progressives who make up a large portion of the most active Democrats.