Senator Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the US Senate, has contracted encephalitis, a brain inflammation, following a case of shingles that left her unable to sit on key committees. After being diagnosed with shingles in late February and recovering at home in San Francisco, she was admitted to the hospital. Feinstein arrived at the Capitol last week using a wheelchair due to impaired vision and balance.
Members of her own party have led calls for her resignation; however, as of now, she has not indicated any plans to step down. If she does not complete her term as Senator, California Governor Gavin Newsom would be responsible for appointing her replacement.
In addition to encephalitis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome—a neurological disorder arising from the shingles virus—Feinstein's serious complications were only disclosed on Thursday. Despite still experiencing side effects from these conditions when she returned to work last week after navigating through Capitol building in a wheelchair for three months.
Feinstein announced that she will not seek reelection next year. Fellow Democrats such as Representative Ro Khanna (California) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) have also stated their belief that she should resign due to her extended absence from office.
Initially denying rumors about her health issues by claiming it was "a really bad flu," Sen. Feinstein's office later confirmed these diagnoses themselves during an interview with CNN on Thursday.
As aides frequently assist the 89-year-old Democrat Senator around Senate building via wheelchair due to ongoing vision and balance problems stemming from encephalitis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome complications; this situation emphasizes concerns regarding whether or not Sen. Feinstein is fit enough for public office duties while managing these medical challenges simultaneously.
Upon returning earlier this month—in part restoring Democrats' 51-49 majority within Senate—hopeful prospects arise concerning the likelihood of Democratic-backed bills receiving approval. The Democratic Party has also vowed to appoint a woman of color in the event that Feinstein steps down, with California Governor Gavin Newsom already having raised $15 million for a possible election race.
Nancy Corinne Prowda, marketing executive and close associate of Sen. Feinstein, has been spotted by her side amid ongoing questions about the senator's fitness for office.