With the recent passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, questions of who Gov. Gavin Newsom will replace her with have arisen. As per the 17th Amendment, Governors have the power to appoint a replacement to the Senate. 

Newsom now faces the difficult decision of who to choose as Feinstein’s replacement in the midst of us coming close to the possibility of a government shutdown. He had hoped to avoid this decision, but now it is important he chooses a replacement as fast as possible.

Newsom previously promised to choose a black woman to replace Feinstein during an interview on MSNBC’s show “The ReidOut.” 

Whether or not he actually goes through with that statement isn’t as important as choosing someone who best represents the ideas and values of their constituency.

This is important because a majority of the people who voted for Feinstein liked her ideas, so Newson should pick someone who agrees with them. It would be undemocratic for him to pick someone with ideals that are not what the voters value. However, because he made the promise of moving a black woman to the Senate, it is only right he does so.

Rep. Steven Horsford believes that Barbra Lee is the best candidate for Feinstein’s replacement. 

“(Lee) is the most qualified person to be in the United States Senate at this time,” said Horsford in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Whoever Newsom does pick as a replacement, I’m sure he will receive backlash for it. While he should stay true to his word and elect a black woman, what is most important is that who he picks is good and reflects the values of the community.