Oldest US senator to seek re-election in 2018

The Democratic Senator for California, Dianne Feinstein, 84, the oldest member of the US Senate, announced that she will stand for re-election in 2018.

"I am running for re-election to the Senate," the 84-year-old lawmaker said on Twitter on Monday about her plans to seek a fifth term, Efe news reported.

"Lots more to do: ending gun violence, combating climate change, access to healthcare. I'm all in!" she added.

Terms of office in the US Senate are for six years, so if she keeps her seat, her next term will end when she is 91.

Feinstein, one of the most influential members of the upper house, was a pioneer along with Barbara Boxer, who retired last January, when both won seats in the Senate in 1992 to become the first women senators for the state of California.

The highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee and leader in the fight against gun violence, Feinstein is one of eight octogenarians in the US upper house.

The Senator had not previously wished to answer questions about her future when faced with increasing pressure from her party to find out whether it would have to find her replacement.

--IANS

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