Quote:

Feinstein's death has produced a unique situation where Newsom, 55, California's charismatic Governor who is considered a Presidential frontrunner should anything happen to 80-year-old President Joe Biden, has free reign to pick someone to replace Feinstein until the next election is held in November 2024.

(SNIP)

He was placed in a similar position in October 2020 when then-candidate Biden chose another Californian senator, Kamala Harris, to be his running mate against Donald Trump.


So, nothing unique about the situation. In fact, we have a Constitutional amendment regarding filling Senatorial vacancies.

Text: When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution