march 2024 primary
United States Senator
What is a United States Senator?
United States Senators are responsible for representing their constituents in the federal government.
Senators author and vote on legislation, secure money for their districts in federal budgets, and advocate for their constituents’ interests. Their primary focus is on national issues like defense and the economy.
There are two Senators per state with tenure-based ranking, and whoever wins this race will be the Junior Senator under Senator Alex Padilla.
Senators serve six-year terms, with no term limits. Non-leadership members are paid $174,000 annually, and most Senators serve well past regular retirement age.
Why You Should Care
United States Senators represent citizens at the highest level of government. While they aren’t usually involved in local politics, they typically begin their careers locally. The Senate also confirms Presidential Cabinet appointments and Supreme Court picks—an important power highlighted recently when judicial appointments were held up by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s extended absence.
Our Vision for this Office
California only gets two Senators to represent 40 million people, so we need to choose them wisely. Our United States Senator should be the best example of what a politician can be: a committed advocate for the people they represent, a savvy dealmaker, and an accomplished individual that embodies California values.
No Endorsement for U.S. Senate
Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee and Katie Porter are all excellent candidates for the U.S. Senate, and each would bring a wealth of experience to the position. TogetherSF Action concentrates on the policies and representatives that will make San Francisco the best city it can be—but federal races aren’t what we focus on. With the Democratic Party of California divided on their endorsement in this race, we don’t have an official endorsement, knowing that each candidate will be an effective Senator for California.
Adam Schiff
Since his election to the House of Representatives in 2000, Adam Schiff has prioritized creating economic opportunities, supporting taxpayer relief, addressing gun violence, and protecting a woman’s right to abortion. Schiff has also been a reliable watchdog for democracy, leading the public hearings into the effects of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, and leading the first impeachment process against former President Donald Trump.
Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee has represented the East Bay since her election to the House of Representatives in 1998. In that time, Representative Lee has been a staunch progressive and consistent anti-war advocate—she was the only member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force following the 9/11 attacks. But she’s also able to work across the aisle, authoring 67 bills that were signed into law by former Republican Governor Pete Wilson.
Katie Porter
U.S. Representative Katie Porter has been a productive legislator since her election in a difficult, contested race in 2018 to a historically Republican Orange County seat. Representative Porter has focused on issues that affect everyday Americans like women’s healthcare, pharmaceutical costs, and government accountability; while her pointed questions with her ever-present whiteboard during Congressional hearings have made her a viral sensation.
Paid for by TogetherSF Action (tsfaction.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee controlled by a candidate. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org.