Dianne Feinstein says no to governor’s race

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday ended speculation that she might leave Congress to run for governor.

Feinstein spokesman Gil Duran said the San Francisco Democrat spoke with Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown on Wednesday morning and informed him she would not get into the race. Brown has yet to declare himself a candidate but has been raising money and is the only major Democrat still considering a run for the state’s highest office.

Most observers did not expect that Feinstein would leave her powerful post in the Senate for a gubernatorial bid, but speculation persisted in some quarters, in part because she is a popular figure who could amass a lot of money, including some from her personal fortune.

The Orange County Register reported that Feinstein also told attendees at a fundraiser in Orange County on Tuesday that she would not seek the governor’s office.

-- Jean Merl