Sen. Dianne Feinstein is getting a primary challenge from one of California's most powerful Democrats

Associated Press/J. Scott Applewhite

One of California's most prominent Democratic politicians will challenge longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2018.

CNN reported Thursday that California state Senate president Kevin de León will challenge Feinstein in the Democratic primary for one of the state's US Senate seats next year.

One of the most prominent Latino leaders in Democratic politics, De León is expected to campaign heavily against President Donald Trump.

Many California Democrats have both privately and publicly bemoaned Feinstein's bid for reelection.

Some Democrats have cited California's deep bench of young, state-level talent who have hit a ceiling politically in the Golden State, noting that Feinstein would be over 90 years old at the end of her next term.

But others have argued that the longtime senator hasn't done enough to oppose Trump's agenda, voting to confirm many of his cabinet nominees, and opposing others on the left who favor issues like single-payer healthcare.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California told Vox earlier this week that Feinstein was "out of touch" with the state Democrats on economic and foreign policy issues.

"The fact that the establishment is rallying around her re-election shows that DC insiders continue to privilege protecting one of their own over the voters' concerns," Khanna said.

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