The California IATSE Council endorses Adam Schiff for US Senate

The California IATSE Council has endorsed Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff in his campaign to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has not yet said whether she will seek re-election next year. Schiff is an 11-term congressman whose district includes Burbank, Hollywood and West Hollywood.

The council, which is made up of 18 IATSE locals representing more than 54,000 workers in the film and TV industry across the state, said in a statement that “we made this initial commitment because our decades of working with Congressman Schiff have given us first-hand evidence. Our members and their His deep and abiding commitment to – and willingness to take action – issues that directly affect families.

“Adam Schiff has demonstrated that commitment since his first day in Congress. In 2001, when there was a large-scale flight of film and television production from California to Canada, but the term “runaway production” was known only within our industry and certainly not in the halls of Congress, Congressman Schiff was an early co-author of federal legislation to keep the United States competitive. He continued to work on the passage of the Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act until it became law in 2004.

“While on the House Judiciary Committee, he protected our members from copyright, and then the Internet, pirated movies and television shows. He has worked to protect copyright and those who would steal the works of US creators for profit – which erodes the remaining payments to our members’ health and pension plans.

“He fought for unemployment compensation for our members when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our industry and stood with us in 2021, when we fought for our members’ right to a fair contract and a safe workplace.

“No one has been a stronger or truer voice for the working people of California than Congressman Adam Schiff. He is a man of conscience, conviction and energy. And, crucial in this day and age, he perseveres in the face of adversity. He understands that doing the right thing for working people is the key to making America the land of opportunity.

“CIC looks forward to working hard for his election as US Senator for California.”

Schiff officially announced last month and Rep. Joined by Katie Porter (D-CA), along with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) also plans to run Feinstein has not said what her plans are, but she is expected to stay out of the race.

All candidates are expected to court Hollywood donors heavily, using longtime connections from their congressional campaigns. Schiff gained a national platform for his role on the Jan. 6 committee and the House Intelligence Committee during the investigation of Donald Trump.

Deadline’s Ted Johnson contributed to this report.