[1/2]U.S. U.S. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is a pioneer in American women’s politics and recently announced that she would not seek re-election in 2024. She was being treated for shingles at a California hospital.
Feinstein was diagnosed in February with the virus and is expected to make a complete recovery, she stated in an emailed statement that her office shared.
Feinstein, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992 at the age of 89, is the oldest member.
“I was diagnosed with shingles over the February recess. I am currently being treated in San Francisco for shingles and have been admitted to the hospital. I expect to fully recover. The senator stated that she hoped to return to the Senate in the latter part of the month.
Shingles are most common in older adults who have had chicken pox or the varicella virus when they were younger. The most common sign of shingles is a painful rash. It usually clears up in a month, but can sometimes cause nerve pain that can last longer.
The Democrats are temporarily without Feinstein and John Fetterman, a Democratic senator suffering from clinical depression. In their absence, Democrats have 49 Senate seats, while Republicans have 49. Vice President Kamala Harris is available to break the ties.
Fetterman, who won a Republican-held seat during last November’s midterm election, is doing well and continues on the path to recovery, his office stated Monday.
Feinstein was the first woman elected to San Francisco mayor, the first woman chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is currently the longest-serving female senator.
Reporting by Kanishka Sing; Additional reporting by Rami, Ismail Shakil, and Dan Whitcomb; Editing done by Lincoln Feast.
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