The death of Senator Dianne Feinstein at age 90 opens the possibility of California Governor Gavin Newsom appointing Meghan Markle as an interim replacement until the 2024 election.
Apparently, among the names being bandied about is that of the Duchess of Sussex, how likely is she to fill a Senate seat?
Meghan Markle as Dianne Feinstein’s replacement in the U.S. Senate?
Newsom has full powers to choose Feinstein’s replacement for the next 13 months.
A similar situation occurred in October 2020, when then-candidate Biden chose another California senator, Kamala Harris, to be his running mate against Donald Trump.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the name of Meghan Markle, akin to the Democrats, comes up.
Sources close to the governor indicate that he will go for an African-American woman.
The problem is that the best female candidates already ran for the 2024 election, so appointing one now would be perceived as favoritism.
This is where Meghan Markle could come in, who meets the sought-after profile and would not compete in 2024.
According to the Daily Mail, A source close to California Governor Gavin Newsom said:
“There are not that many women who fit the bill. Which is why Meghan’s name is being bandied about.”
Since her arrival in California in 2020 she has cultivated Democratic political contacts and is said to have aspirations in politics.
She is friends with Gloria Steinem, a key party figure, and Oprah Winfrey, a major Democratic donor, she has made good relations with the Kennedys, one of America’s best-connected families.
A friend of Steinem’s told the Mail on Sunday:
“Gloria has been introducing Meghan to pivotal people within the party. Meghan is interested in politics more than anything else. That’s where she believes her power is but she has had to focus on making money.”
However, senior sources point out that Meghan lacks experience and see it as difficult for her to be selected.
Her friendship with the Kennedys or Oprah would not give her enough endorsements. Therefore, although her name is being bandied about, she is considered a low-probability contender.
After Ronald Reagan occupied the White House between 1981 and 1989 and Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California, it is not so far-fetched to think that the Duchess of Sussex will end up occupying a seat in the U.S. Senate.