Friends and Colleagues Pay Tribute to Late Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Trailblazer Among Democrats

Within hours of her death at age 90, the California senator's legacy began to take form

Within moments of learning that California Sen. Dianne Feinstein died on Thursday night, the world began paying tribute to the longtime Democratic leader, whose hard-won political achievements were largely overshadowed in her final years by reports of declining health and calls to retire.

“Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving," reads a statement from Feinstein's office.

It continued: “She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary. There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor and friend.”

In the wake of her death, here's how Feinstein is being remembered by politicians on both sides of the aisle.

"A champion for gun violence prevention"

Gen Z Rep. Maxwell Frost

Quickly after news of Feinstein's death broke, Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost — the youngest member of Congress and a former organizer for March for Our Lives — acknowledged the senator's contributions to mitigating gun violence.

"Senator Dianne Feinstein was a champion for Gun Violence Prevention that broke barriers at all levels of government," he wrote on X. "We wouldn’t have had an assault weapons ban if it wasn’t for Senator Feinstein and due to her tireless work, we will win it back. May her memory be a blessing."

Related: White House Hears Gen Z's Plea to Address Gun Violence: 'Turned Our Calls for More Action into Reality'

California Rep. Katie Porter, who is a candidate for Feinstein's Senate seat in the 2024 election, also acknowledged her gun safety efforts, writing on X, "Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer for women in California politics, and her leadership on gun violence prevention and anti-torture made our nation more just. I wish her loved ones strength during this difficult time."

Throughout her career, Feinstein made gun safety a priority, after being thrust into the role of San Francisco mayor when her former colleague fatally shot City Supervisor Harvey Milk and then-Mayor George Moscone.

As the San Francisco Mayor, she proposed a citywide ban on handguns and faced a recall attempt as a result; early on in her Senate tenure, she spearheaded the successful federal assault weapons ban of 1994 (which expired 10 years later). At other points in her career, including after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, she proposed additional measures to prevent gun violence, proving the issue to be one of her most important.

"She blazed trails for women in politics"

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — another trailblazing woman in politics, running a Senate campaign while serving as first lady and becoming the first female presidential nominee for a major party — called Feinstein a "friend" in her own tribute on Friday morning.

"I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Dianne Feinstein," Clinton write. "She blazed trails for women in politics and found a life's calling in public service. I'll miss her greatly as a friend and colleague and send my condolences to all who loved her."

Feinstein was the first female chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first female mayor of San Francisco and was the longest-serving female senator in history. During her Senate tenure, she broke many barriers as the first woman to chair multiple powerful committees.

California Rep. Barbara Lee, a candidate for Feinstein's Senate seat in 2024, concurred, writing on X that "Senator Feinstein broke glass ceilings for women in politics and fought fearlessly for safer communities free of gun violence."

"This is a monumental day of loss, but Senator Feinstein's work continues and her legacy lives on," Lee continued. "May she rest in peace."

"A political giant, whose tenacity was matched by her grace"

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and as San Francisco mayor years after Feinstein — wrote a lengthy tribute to the senator on Friday.

“Dianne Feinstein was many things – a powerful, trailblazing U.S. Senator; an early voice for gun control; a leader in times of tragedy and chaos. But to me, she was a dear friend, a lifelong mentor, and a role model not only for me, but to my wife and daughters for what a powerful, effective leader looks like," he said in a statement.

“She was a political giant, whose tenacity was matched by her grace. She broke down barriers and glass ceilings, but never lost her belief in the spirit of political cooperation. And she was a fighter — for the city, the state and the country she loved. Every race she won, she made history, but her story wasn’t just about being the first woman in a particular political office, it was what she did for California, and for America, with that power once she earned it. That’s what she should be remembered for."

He continued: “There is simply nobody who possessed the strength, gravitas, and fierceness of Dianne Feinstein. Jennifer and I are deeply saddened by her passing, and we will mourn with her family in this difficult time.”

As governor, Newsom is now tasked with appointing a successor to complete the remainder of Feinstein's Senate term, which expires on Jan. 3, 2025. He has not yet made a decision on who will replace her, but previously suggested that he would choose a Black woman to fill the representation gap in the Senate after Kamala Harris was elevated to vice president.

"An incredibly effective person at every level"

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican who often found himself at odds with Feinstein, set aside their political differences to pay respect to Feinstein's legacy on Friday and offer a window into their behind-the-scenes friendship on the Hill.

“I know how we always refer to each other as ‘my friend from’ whatever state it is. Honestly, frequently that’s not true. But Elaine and I were actual friends of [Feinstein's late husband] Dick and Dianne," McConnell said in a statement. "Elaine served on a corporate board with Dick for a number of years. When they were in town together we would frequently have dinner together."

He continued: “Elaine and I got married shortly after the ‘92 election and I remember that Dianne gave us a small depiction of the Capitol. I looked at it this morning because it’s still on the wall and remembered our dear colleague as a truly remarkable individual."

McConnell went on to call Feinstein "an incredibly effective person at every level on the way to the Senate," adding that "her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service."

“Over the past three decades, the senior Senator for California was also the steady hand leading sensitive and consequential work as head of the Intelligence Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Her name became synonymous with advocacy for women, and with issues from water infrastructure to counter-drug efforts," he continued.

“Today, I know the entire Senate family is gathering around Senator Feinstein’s loyal staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dianne’s daughter Katherine, her granddaughter Eileen, the entire Feinstein family, and with all who mourn our dear colleague and friend.”

"A pioneering American"

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden, who served with Feinstein in the Senate for more than 15 years, released a statement calling the late senator a "pioneering American" and "cherished friend," and saying he "had a front row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish."

"There’s no better example of her skillful legislating and sheer force of will than when she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons," Biden wrote. "Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties. She’s made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations."

"Often the only woman in the room, Dianne was a role model for so many Americans — a job she took seriously by mentoring countless public servants, many of whom now serve in my Administration," he continued. "She had an immense impact on younger female leaders for whom she generously opened doors. Dianne was tough, sharp, always prepared, and never pulled a punch, but she was also a kind and loyal friend, and that’s what Jill and I will miss the most."

The statement concluded: "As we mourn with her daughter Katherine and the Feinstein family, her team in the Senate, and the people of California, we take comfort that Dianne is reunited again with her beloved Richard. May God Bless Dianne Feinstein."

"We're comforted knowing how many mountains she moved"

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered an 8-minute speech on the Senate floor on Friday morning, in which he honored one of the most senior members of his caucus with heartfelt memories.

Alongside a video of the speech posted to X, Schumer wrote: "Sen. Dianne Feinstein was a friend, a hero, a leader who changed the Senate and America for the better. Mourning this tremendous loss—we're comforted in knowing how many mountains she moved, lives she impacted, glass ceilings she shattered. America's a better place because of her."

In a follow-up X post, Schumer said, "Senator Dianne Feinstein was in a class of her own. Powerful. Poised. Unflappable. She had to be: whenever she did something, she was often the first to do it."

"She didn’t just push down doors that were closed for women," he continued, "she held them open for generations of women to follow."

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