Senate candidate Adam Schiff locks down a prominent California Democratic endorsement

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff announced a high-profile endorsement Thursday in his campaign to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein: California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.

Rivas, who took over the speakership earlier this summer, said he was proud to support Schiff.

“As his long track record shows, he’s relentless about promoting California’s interests in Washington, and the whole world knows he’s not afraid to take on corruption and authoritarianism,” Rivas said of Schiff in a statement.

For his part, Schiff praised Rivas’ leadership on top issues in California, such as fentanyl, housing affordability and expanded worker protections.

“My top priority in this race is fighting for an economy that works for everyone, and there are few people who know what that takes as well as Robert. I’m humbled to have him in my corner, and I look forward to working with him to champion the needs of all working families in California when I am in the Senate,” Schiff said.

Rivas is the latest prominent California Democrat to endorse Schiff, 63. Other top party figures to back Schiff include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Schiff is one of three Democratic House members to seek the Senate seat, along with Reps. Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee. Other candidates include former tech executive Lexi Reese and television journalist Christina Pascucci, both Democrats, and attorney Eric Early and former baseball star Steve Garvey, who are Republicans.

The announcement comes on the same day that CNN broke news that Schiff has claimed a home in Maryland as his primary residence, while also claiming a homeowner’s tax exemption for a condo he owns in Burbank.

“Adam’s California and Maryland addresses have been listed as primary residences for loan purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property,” Schiff spokeswoman Marisol Samoya told CNN.

Laphonza Butler, whom California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Feinstein’s death, also had a residency in Maryland, where she was registered to vote. She has since changed her registration to California.