Democratic Rep. Katie Porter's (CA-47) decision to run for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat in 2024 isn't a surprise, and the timing of her announcement—before the 89-year-old Feinstein has even stated her plans—is designed to get a jump start on the field and replenish her own coffers after raising and spending nearly $28 million on a tough reelection in 2022. Now, her coastal Orange County seat will draw plenty of attention from both parties.
California's 47th CD includes left-leaning Irvine (home to UC-Irvine) and more conservative Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. In 2020, it voted for Joe Biden 55%-43%, and in 2022, Porter defeated Republican Scott Baugh 52%-48% in a bitter race that saw $41 million in overall spending. But the seat still has significant down-ballot Republican DNA: on the same ballot, Republican Brian Dahle carried it 50.3%-49.7% over Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Any seat in the LA media market is hyper-expensive, and both parties will be looking for candidates with access to resources. One Democratic likely entrant who fits that bill is former Rep. Harley Rouda, a Laguna Beach
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