Burbank Mayor’s Switch: Supporting Barbara Lee Over Adam Schiff In the race for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee may be trailing behind the frontrunner, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff. However, Lee recently received a significant endorsement that could provide her with much-needed momentum. Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony, who had previously endorsed Schiff but withdrew his support in October due to Schiff’s stance on Israel’s war against Hamas, has now switched allegiances and is backing Lee. The mayor cited Lee’s pro-peace foreign policy record as the primary reason for this decision. Lee, who was the only member of Congress to vote against giving a “blank check for endless war” in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, supports a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. This aligns with Anthony’s own views on the matter, leading him to withdraw his endorsement of Schiff and endorse Lee instead. While Schiff still maintains a lead in the race, Anthony’s change of support could potentially hurt Schiff’s campaign. As a resident of Burbank, Schiff initially gained Anthony’s endorsement earlier this year. The mayor highlighted their collaborative efforts in supporting various causes, such as women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, gun violence prevention, and labor unions. However, Anthony felt that he could no longer back Schiff in good conscience due to the ongoing war in Gaza. In an interview with The Washington Post, Anthony expressed his motivation behind the endorsement switch, stating, “[Schiff’s] silence on a cease-fire is what really drew me to consider no longer backing him. And the continued silence is why I endorsed Barbara Lee.” His hope is that his endorsement carries some weight and sheds light not only on domestic issues but also on the actions of the United States in other countries. As of now, Schiff’s campaign has not provided a comment regarding Anthony’s endorsement of Lee. The impact of this endorsement remains to be seen, but it highlights the complexities of political alliances and the importance of addressing international conflicts in the eyes of constituents.