Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinHawley warns Schumer to steer clear of Catholic-based criticisms of Barrett Senate GOP set to vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick before election Trump taps Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court, setting up confirmation sprint MORE on Tuesday joined other top California Democrats in backing state Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D) in an election to fill former Rep. Katie Hill Katherine (Katie) Lauren HillObama counsels NBA players on forming a social justice committee Republicans cast Trump as best choice for women House GOP campaign chairman insists party will win back majority MORE’s (D-Calif.) House seat.

“I am proud to endorse Christy Smith for Congress,” Feinstein said in a statement exclusively shared with The Hill.

“As someone who has lived in this district for 39 years, raised a family, served on the local PTA, as president of the Newhall School Board and who is currently representing the people of this region in the California State Assembly, Christy Smith has the background, experience and leadership skills that the people of the 25th Congressional District need working on their behalf in Washington. We need her effectiveness and proven problem-solving skills in Congress,” she added.

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Feinstein’s support comes on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom Newsom signs law allowing transgender inmates to be placed in prison by their gender identity OVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 MORE’s (D) Monday endorsement of Smith.

They join Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act What Kamala Harris' VP nomination means to us Harris slams Trump's Supreme Court pick as an attempt to 'destroy the Affordable Care Act' MORE (D-Calif.), who endorsed Smith last month, as well as 12 House Democrats representing California districts. She was also endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters last month, with the group pitching Smith as an effective leader that has aided the group in combating wildfires that have plagued the region.

Smith launched her campaign in late October, following Hill’s resignation after conservative outlets published naked photos of the congresswoman along with allegations that she had an improper relationship with members of her staff.



Hill admitted to a relationship with a member of her campaign staff but denied allegations that she had a relationship with a member of her legislative staff, which would have been in violation of House rules.



Smith faces several challengers, including progressive founder of The Young Turks Cenk Uygur as a Democrat, as well as a couple of Republicans including former Rep. Steve Knight Stephen (Steve) Thomas KnightThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The American Investment Council - Pelosi touts T bill as Fauci stresses go-slow openings The Hill's Campaign Report: A Los Angeles House seat is in play for Republicans Democrats on edge over California special election nail-biter MORE (Calif.), whom Hill unseated in 2018, and former Trump campaign aide George PapadopoulosGeorge Demetrios PapadopoulosTale of two FBI cases: Clinton got warned, Trump got investigated Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation New FBI document confirms the Trump campaign was investigated without justification MORE, who served 12 days in prison after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.

Candidates from both parties will be on the same ballot on March 3, the day of the California congressional and presidential primaries. If no candidate secures a simple majority, the two top candidates will advance to a May 12 election.