Feinstein endorses Christy Smith for Katie Hill’s former House seat

Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday joined other top California Democrats in backing state Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D) in an election to fill former Rep. Katie Hill’s (D-Calif.) House seat. 

“I am proud to endorse Christy Smith for Congress,” Feinstein said in a statement exclusively shared with The Hill. 

“As someone who has lived in this district for 39 years, raised a family, served on the local PTA, as president of the Newhall School Board and who is currently representing the people of this region in the California State Assembly, Christy Smith has the background, experience and leadership skills that the people of the 25th Congressional District need working on their behalf in Washington. We need her effectiveness and proven problem-solving skills in Congress,” she added. 

Feinstein’s support comes on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) Monday endorsement of Smith. 

They join Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who endorsed Smith last month, as well as 12 House Democrats representing California districts. She was also endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters last month, with the group pitching Smith as an effective leader that has aided the group in combating wildfires that have plagued the region. 

Smith launched her campaign in late October, following Hill’s resignation after conservative outlets published naked photos of the congresswoman along with allegations that she had an improper relationship with members of her staff. 

Hill admitted to a relationship with a member of her campaign staff but denied allegations that she had a relationship with a member of her legislative staff, which would have been in violation of House rules.

Smith faces several challengers, including progressive founder of The Young Turks Cenk Uygur as a Democrat, as well as a couple of Republicans including former Rep. Steve Knight (Calif.), whom Hill unseated in 2018, and former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who served 12 days in prison after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.

Candidates from both parties will be on the same ballot on March 3, the day of the California congressional and presidential primaries. If no candidate secures a simple majority, the two top candidates will advance to a May 12 election.