it is why i have worked for and achieved progressive change my entire life lee said in a statement to abc news rep barbara lee of california attends a news conference outside the us capitol jan 26 2023 california democratic rep barbara lee plans to formally announce shes running for senate by the end of the month abc news confirmed friday california has a jungle primary in which voters choose any candidate regardless of party and the top two votegetters advance to the general election the race to win californias senate seat currently held by democratic sen dianne feinstein is turning into a crowded battle lee stressed that our voices are sorely missed in the senate at 89 the oldest sitting senator feinstein has said she would announce in the spring if she would seek reelection j scott applewhiteap file house speaker emerita nancy pelosi has weighed in throwing support behind schiff if feinstein does not seek reelection the washington post was the first to report lees plans a source with knowledge of her plans said lee plans to officially launch her campaign to coincide with black history month sen dianne feinstein arrives for the senate democratic caucus leadership election at the capitol in washington dc dec 8 2022 my lived experience as a black woman making true progressive change for californians will give a voice in the us senate to those who are currently voiceless tom williamscqroll call via getty images i have spent my life fighting against discrimination and speaking on behalf of people of color underserved communities and those living in poverty and despite the number of political heavyweight already running more could end up joining the political fray nearly two years away from the general election the california senate race among democrats is likely to be one of the most highprofile and most competitive of the cycle in part because the enormous state has many prominent politicians and because senate seats in the state rarely open up democratic reps adam schiff and katie porter have already announced campaigns for her seat california democratic rep khanna is also considering jumping in in a statement to the post lee focused on the absence of black women in the us senate where none currently serve after vice president kamala harris gave up her seat that means two democrats could be pitted against each other during the general election which is what happened when feinstein ran for reelection in 2018 and despite not having made any official announcement feinstein filed paperwork in 2021 to run for reelection