Feinstein hints she’ll run again in 2012

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There’s been much speculation about the plans of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) — particularly with some prominent Democrats such as L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom potentially waiting in the wings for a chance to run for U.S. Senate.

But in the midst of answering a question about California’s water issues while campaigning with U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) Monday in San Jose, Feinstein, who is 77, indicated that she doesn’t have any plans to give up her seat. The slip about 2012 came when she was answering a question from a reporter and was explaining that water is “huge issue for California” and that without water you “don’t have an economy.”

“Water is where it’s at. We’re the largest agricultural industry in America, and it needs water; and high tech, and it needs water; and 38 million people, and they need water,” Feinstein said. “So in two years there will be a water bond on the ballot. That bond must be passed. And I will be running then, I intend to get out and support it.”

The moment might have passed without much notice. But when Feinstein had finished speaking, Boxer stepped to the podium with a grin.

“Well, news was just made, Sen. Feinstein is going to run again,’ Boxer said as members of the audience at the solar manufacturer they were visiting began to applaud. ‘Aren’t we happy about that! And we heard it right here!’

Feinstein, smiling, didn’t refute that statement or add any more about her plans, and Boxer soon moved on to the next question.

-- Maeve Reston in San Jose