Feinstein Says She's `Close' to Announcing Re-Election Bid

(Bloomberg) -- Dianne Feinstein, the senior U.S. senator from California, said Sunday she's “close” to announcing a 2018 bid for a bid for a fifth six-year term, despite some reservations from voters.

The 84-year-old Democrat was asked on NBC's “Meet the Press” about an opinion poll taken in September that half of likely voters say she shouldn't seek another term. The same poll showed 54 percent of likely voters approved of Feinstein's job performance.

“I'm ready for a good fight," said Feinstein, who joined Congress in 1992. “I'm in a position where I can be effective, and hopefully that means something to California."

Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said people would find out about her plans “very shortly.” There's been speculation that Feinstein, who is regarded as a centrist within her party, may face a primary challenge if she runs again.

The Californian is currently the oldest serving senator -- a few months ahead of her Judiciary panel colleague, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, who was reelected in November to a seventh term.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ben Brody in Washington at btenerellabr@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Joshua Gallu at jgallu@bloomberg.net, Ros Krasny