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Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., arrives for the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. According to Senate traditions and her status as the longest-serving Democratic senator, the 89-year-old lawmaker would have been in line to become president pro tempore of the Senate, but she declined the position which would place her third in the order of succession for the presidency behind the vice president and speaker of the House. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will serve as president pro tempore in the new Congress, replacing the retiring Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)Her death will force Gov. Gavin Newsom to make a crucial decision he said recently he hoped he wouldn't have to do: appoint a replacement to serve the rest of Feinstein's term with the hotly contested race to succeed her in full swing.
Originally published at Julia Prodis Sulek