As Rep. Adam Schiff puts it, California is used to be represented by “giants” in the U.S. Senate.

And he wants to be next.

Schiff, a Democrat who represents parts of Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the country, put an end to the speculation on Thursday, Jan. 26 and declared his 2024 candidacy for U.S. Senate.

For those following the questionably-open Senate race — longtime incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein has not yet publicly said if she plans to retire at the end of her term in 2024 — Schiff’s announcement isn’t a surprise.

Schiff said he spoke with the longtime senator before making his decision. “I’ve been staying in touch with her very closely for some weeks to express my interest but also pay her the respect that she’s earned,” Schiff said.

He’s publicly said he was interested in the seat, and his national name ID has only increased in recent years as he led former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, participated in the prime-time Jan. 6 hearings and became an expert on intelligence.

Congressman, Adam Schiff speaks during the Los Angeles County Democratic Election night party at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Mark Gonzalez, chair of the L.A. County Democratic Party who has known Schiff for about two decades, calls him “America’s attorney.” He said he’s watched Schiff really take leadership reins under the Obama administration and continue that work over the past few years “exposing the truth” of Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

And it’s already clear the importance of democracy, as well as the economic state of the country, are two central themes of Schiff’s Senate campaign.

“I’m deeply concerned that our democracy is at risk and the economy isn’t working for too many millions of Americans. And I think it’s the right time for me to announce that I’m running for the Senate. I want to take those fights to the Senate where some of the most important struggles over our economy and democracy are going to take place,” Schiff said in an interview.

“To me, these challenges have always been interlinked,” he added. “The fact that so many millions of Americans see their quality of life in danger or less than their parents and worry about their children’s future has left many receptive to a demagogue who promises he alone can come along and fix it.”

Schiff, 62, is an attorney and a former California state senator who defeated Rep. James Rogan — a Republican who played a role in former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial — in 2000.

When he first got to Congress, Schiff established a reputation as a serious and pragmatic legislator who could work with members on either side of the aisle, said Dan Schnur, a former campaign consultant who teaches at USC and UC Berkeley.

And then Trump was elected.

That’s when Schiff’s role in Congress shifted to that of a “partisan warrior,” Schnur said.

“It’s not easy to lead a fight on a presidential impeachment on either side without being seen as a partisan warrior,” Schnur said. “He chose to take on the role. And once he did, the die was cast.”

Gonzalez says Schiff played foil to Republicans who believe — or at least say — the 2020 election was “stolen.” Schiff was able to become a “Democratic warrior,” Gonzalez said, because he could “dismantle the rumors and ‘fake news,’ as they” by being “calm, even-keeled and presenting the facts.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Feinstein factor

Schiff is the second Southern California representative to declare for the seat: Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, was first out of the gate earlier this month.

Porter, a progressive star who has gone toe-to-toe with powerful executives in Congress, said California needs “fresh ideas and energetic leaders” in government.

When Porter announced, she was heavily criticized for doing so before Feinstein made an official decision and while the state was reeling from devastating storms. Schiff’s declaration also comes before an official Feinstein announcement and in the aftermath of a mass shooting that rocked Southern California over the weekend.

Another difference between Porter’s and Schiff’s announcements: The Feinstein of it all.

Katie Porter addresses the crowd at the Long Beach Courthouse to show support for womens rights and to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling which said women had the constitutional right to an abortion in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

In an interview the day Porter announced her Senate race, she said she had not yet talked to Feinstein but hoped to do so soon.

Schiff said Thursday that he spoke to Feinstein the day prior.

“We have a very close relationship,” Schiff said.

Feinstein, 89, has not yet publicly said what her plans are for 2024. Still, there is widespread speculation that she will retire — and given Schiff’s announcement and their relationship, that speculation will mount.

Feinstein “still intends to announce her decision in the coming months,” Adam Russell, a spokesperson for the senator, said Thursday. (Her office refuted an online news article that said she would not make a decision in 2024.)

Other potential candidates for the seat include Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland and Ro Khanna of the Bay Area.

House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Just a day prior to Schiff’s announcement, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied a House Intelligence Committee seat to the California Democrat, a committee that he previously chaired. (Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, McCarthy’s birthday falls on the same day as Schiff’s Senate announcement.)

Schiff said McCarthy’s committee decision could ultimately be detrimental to its work as intelligence agencies may be apprehensive about what they share with Congress if the new Speaker “is going to use that committee as a sort of political plaything.”

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But Schiff said he will still take on a leadership role on the Judiciary Committee where he will “use that position to continue to champion the issues important to Californians and protect their democracy.”

Still, Schiff doesn’t think bipartisanship is dead on arrival in Washington, D.C.

“That work is going to be important as we find a way to get past the debt ceiling and we don’t default on our debt, and I stand ready to do my part to make sure we address the problems facing the country,” he said. “I’m ready to work with anyone who is serious about that undertaking”

When asked if he’s the next “giant” for Californians in the Senate, Schiff only slightly demurred.

“I can only say that there are big shoes to fill in the Senate, and I’d be proud to have that opportunity.”