This week, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) made history with an unprecedented achievement: he became the first U.S. senator to be sworn into office three times in less than a month. This unusual event coincided with the convening of the 119th Congress, marking the start of a new legislative term on Friday.
Schiff’s remarkable three-oath milestone is a direct result of California’s unique rules governing Senate vacancies. Under state law, when a Senate seat becomes vacant, the governor can appoint a temporary replacement. However, the state mandates a special election to determine the permanent officeholder during the next statewide general election. This process played out in 2022 when Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was elected to fill the seat once held by Vice President Kamala Harris.
The latest chapter in Schiff’s political journey began in 2023 after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in September at the age of 90. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) appointed former Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) to temporarily fill the vacancy. However, Butler resigned from the position early on December 8, paving the way for Schiff to step in.
Schiff was first sworn in on December 9, 2023, after Newsom’s appointment, marking his initial entry into the Senate. On December 19, he took the oath again after the special election results were certified, which had confirmed him as the winner of the race to serve out the remaining weeks of Feinstein’s term. Finally, on January 5, 2025, Schiff was sworn in for a third time, this time to begin a full six-year term as California’s newest U.S. Senator.
While this series of events may seem unconventional, it highlights the complexity of California’s electoral process and underscores the political maneuvering involved in filling a high-profile vacancy in such a significant state.