First published in the Jan. 28 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff announced Thursday that he is running for the U.S. Senate.
Schiff, a Democrat who represents Burbank in the 30th Congressional District, is seeking the Senate seat currently held by Dianne Feinstein, also a Democrat. He announced his campaign via video on his campaign website and during an interview on Fox 11.
“I’m such a proud representative of the Foothill communities. I have enjoyed representing this area for a very long time and look forward to representing it in the U.S. Senate,” Schiff told the Leader in an interview Thursday. “I think it will be wonderful to have a senator from our neighborhood. I think that will be a first.”
Before Congress, Schiff served as a state senator where he passed a patient’s bill of rights, updated school textbooks for all students and brought about the expansion of light rail in Los Angeles. As an assistant U.S. attorney, Schiff gained notoriety for successfully prosecuting environmental crimes and a crooked FBI agent turned Russian spy.
He has owned a residence in Burbank for about 30 years, he told the Leader. He often patronizes businesses and restaurants in the area and hikes in Stough Canyon. In his early career, Schiff taught political science classes at Glendale Community College and wrote a column in the Burbank Leader.
“More than on the campaign trail, look for me to be out walking San Fernando road in all of our local restaurants,” the congressman said.
Schiff also told the Leader that he is planning to hold his campaign kickoff event in Burbank, though no date has been set.
Schiff has focused his campaign on solving climate change, rebuilding the economy and dealing the final blow to former President Donald Trump, who has announced another run for president in 2024.
“I want to continue to champion an economy that works for everyone,” Schiff told the Leader. “The failure of the economy to produce the kind of jobs that are necessary to make a decent living is part of the reason our democracy has been in trouble. … It has made people vulnerable to a demagogue who comes along and promises that he alone can fix it.”
Schiff, 62, is in his 11th term in the House of Representatives. He was first elected to Congress in 2001.
At 89, Feinstein is the oldest member of the Senate. She has held her seat since 1992 but has not announced if she will run for reelection in 2024.
Actor Ben Savage, who gained fame in the 1990s sitcom “Boy Meets World,” announced his bid for Schiff’s seat in the House of Representatives last week, according to papers filed with the Federal Election Commission. Savage, 42, made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the West Hollywood City Council last year. He is the brother of actor and director Fred Savage.
Schiff’s announcement comes a day after he was removed by Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Speaker of the House, from the House Intelligence Committee. Schiff was previously the chair of the committee.
He is the second prominent Democratic member of Congress from California to enter the 2024 Senate race. U.S. Rep. Katie Porter announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate earlier this month.
