Aspiring Senate hopefuls got some bad news the other day when Sen. Dianne Feinstein sent out invites for a “Feinstein for Senate 2018” campaign kickoff fundraiser March 18 in Bel-Air.

“We need Senator Feinstein in the Senate now more than ever,” Sim and Debra Farar, the couple who are chairing the event, wrote in an email last week to the California Democrat’s backers.

The $1,000- to $5,400-a-head brunch is being co-hosted by a group of business, tech and entertainment figures, including “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” actress Christine Adams, Hollywood studio executive Robert Daly and Kirith Prady, wife of “Big Bang Theory” executive producer Bill Prady.

A number of Democrats have been eyeing the seat amid speculation that the 83-year-old Feinstein might call it quits after her term is up. The rumor mill got cranking when Feinstein’s husband, Richard Blum, was diagnosed last year with lung cancer, and went into overdrive when Feinstein had a pacemaker installed in January.

But the senator recently signaled she’s up for running again, telling KQED-FM’s Scott Shafer: “If I can ... continue to produce, then I will continue to produce. If I believe I can’t, either by health or any other way, I won’t. But as long as I believe I can, I will.”

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross