Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinSenators offer disaster tax relief bill Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts Congress must save the Postal Service from collapse — our economy depends on it MORE (D-Calif.) urged former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE to run for president in 2020, saying he would be the ideal candidate to face off against President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE.

“Joe was chairman of the Judiciary [Committee] when he came to this place, I’ve watched him as vice president, I’ve seen him operate, I’ve seen him perform,” Feinstein told Politico. “He brings a level of experience and seniority which I think is really important.”

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Feinstein added that she hadn’t talked to Biden to press him to run, saying “that’s just my view.”

Biden and Feinstein worked together during Biden’s years representing Delaware in the Senate. He endorsed her 2018 reelection bid, praising her as “tenacious” and “accomplished.”

The Democratic primary is expected to be crowded, possibly fielding upward of 30 candidates, including Feinstein’s California colleague Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisNational postal mail handlers union endorses Biden The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally Jim Carrey to play Biden on 'Saturday Night Live' MORE, Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (Mass.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerDemocratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility Black Voters Matter Fund deploying voter outreach caravans in 12 states to drive turnout Philanthropist Susan Sandler investing 0M in social justice organizations MORE (N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSuburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida MORE (N.Y.), Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and others.

Biden has led in some early national and statewide polls and would be considered one of the field’s frontrunners should he formally enter the race. While the former vice president has strong appeal among the base, Democrats wonder if a white, septuagenarian male would be the best candidate for a party increasingly defined by women and people of color.

Biden had previously said he would make a decision by the end of 2018, but allies have said he may take more time.