Background

Early Life

Dianne Emiel Goldman (Feinstein from second marriage) was born in San Francisco on June 22, 1933 to her parents Betty Rosenburg, a former model, and Leon Goldman, a surgeon and first Jewish man to get tenure at the UCSF Medical Center. Educated in the Catholic tradition at the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School as well as the Jewish faith, she came to identity with the latter. Feinstein received a B.A. in history in 1955 from Stanford University. She is currently in here third marriage, to Richard C. Blum, an investment banker. Feinstein has one daughter from her second marriage, Katerine Feinstein Mariano (b.1957)

Entering Politics

In 1969 Feinstein gained a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors where she remained for nine years, becoming its first female president. Prior to that position she had served as an appointment by California Governor Pat Brown to the California Women Parole Board. During her stay on the Board she ran twice, unsuccessfully, for mayor of San Francisco, once in 1971 and again in 1975.

In 1978 tragedy struck San Francisco as the Mayor (George Moscone) and a supervisor were gunned down by a slighted rival, Dan White. Feinstein announced the assassinations to the public and, as her position as President of the Board of Supervisors warranted, she ascended the the empty seat of mayor. She was officially elected in 1979 and was re-elected in 1983.

U.S. Senator from California

With November 3, 1992 came Dianne Feinstein's successful bid in a special election for Senate. Californian Senator Pete Wilson had left the seat in 1990 to become California Governor; a term that was to last until 1994, the special election was due in 1992 in order for voters to decide who would finish the last two years of Wilson's term. Feinstein won the election and, as the second Californian seat in the Senate had become empty as well (soon after filled by Democrat Barbara Boxer), Feinstein immediately became the senior Senator. She was re-elected in 1994, 2000 and 2006. A 2007 poll placed Feinstein's popularity at 56%, with 37% disapproving.(Source: Survey USA)

Major Legislation in Senate

• 1994: California Desert Protection Act; Worked with Sen. Alan Cranston to protect over 7 million acres of California's desert lands as wilderness and national parks. Doubled the size of the National Wilderness Preservation System in California. Largest wilderness bill in California's history. status: Signed into law by President Clinton

• 2006: Flag Burning Amendment; main Democratic sponsor. status: Failed by one vote in Senate

• 2007: Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007; establishes new crimes and tougher federal penalties to deter and punish members of illegal street gangs and provides more than $1 billion in funding for gang enforcement, prevention and intervention over five years. status: On Senate legislative calendar

Current Senate Assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

• Senate Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture Rural Development and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Defense
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Interior
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Ranking Minority Member *Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power
• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution Civil Rights and Property Rights
  • Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
  • Subcommittee on Immigration Border Security and Citizenship
  • Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
  • Subcommittee on Technology Terrorism and Homeland Security, Ranking Minority Member
• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
• Aspen Institute / Middle East Strategy Group, Honorary Chair
• Aspen Strategy Group, Member

Professional Positions

Accomplishments

Criticism

Additional Information

Contact the Superdelegates

The Democratic superdelegates could have the last word in the presidential nominating process at this year's Democratic convention. Political Base encourages you to contact the superdelegates if you feel they should cast their vote for a certain candidate or by certain principles.

Political Base has gathered the available contact information for each superdelegate and provides users with several options to communicate their opinions and concerns. Follow the link below to send an email to this superdelegate.

• Address:
  331 Hart Senate Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20510
• Phone: 202-224-3841
• Fax: 202-228-3954 (Send a free internet fax at http://www.faxzero.com)
• Website: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/
• Send an email: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe

Biography Links