California Dem turns down Senate bid

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who has ruled out a run for Senate, is the latest big-name Democrat to opt out of running for retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer’s (D) seat.

“After giving it much thought, I have decided that I will not run for the open Senate seat next year,” he said in a statement.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and feel I can continue to make a significant contribution to the nation’s security in that position.”

{mosads}Schiff said in his statement that he looks forward to “other challenges in the future” but also praised the state’s other longtime senator, Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), in an interview with ABC News. 

“I hope she runs again because I think she’s fantastic, and she’s a great partner to work on intelligence issues with,” he told the network.

Feinstein will be 85 years old when she’s up for reelection in 2018. 

Boxer’s announcement that she intended to resign at the end of 2016 sparked initial speculation that a number of prominent Democrats would enter the race, setting off a competitive contest.

But so far, state Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) is the only big-name Democrat to announce plans to run.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D), initially seen as Harris’s rival, turned down the chance to run a month after Harris announced her intentions. 

Initially, many experts predicted that the race could be historically expensive, thanks to the state’s population, the presence of multiple top media markets, and the “jungle” primary system that pits candidates from both parties against each other in the primary election. 

Other names initially floated as potential candidates, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and billionaire Tom Steyer, decided against running.

Harris could still see competition. Democratic Reps. Xavier Becerra, Loretta Sanchez and Jackie Speier are among those considering jumping in.