Sen. Dianne Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1992. Over the past two decades, she has steadily increased her influence, and its now a powerful voice for California and the San Joaquin Valley in the Senate.

Feinstein, 79, has earned re-election with hard work and a solid record. We recommend her candidacy in Tuesday's election.

Feinstein chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and is an influential member of the Senate's Appropriations and Judiciary committees. From these posts, Feinstein has been an effective policy maker.

She has also championed San Joaquin Valley agriculture, especially in working to secure needed water and pushing legislation to give farmers an adequate -- and legal -- supply of labor.

Feinstein has been endorsed by key agricultural groups, including the Western Growers and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

"Dianne Feinstein has stood up for farmers and ranchers more times than we can count," Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said last month in announcing its endorsement.

She has been a strong advocate of the Affordable Care Act, although she acknowledges that the sweeping health care reform package will need "clean-up" legislation.

A moderate Democrat, Feinstein believes strongly in working cooperatively with Republicans to help the country solve its problems. Finding compromise is not a weakness, and Feinstein believes that most Americans want to see more bipartisanship while doing the nation's business. Building roadblocks does not solve problems.

Feinstein has even urged President Obama to reach out more to Republicans to get things done. "He could be more active in terms of picking up the phone and calling people," Feinstein told The Bee's editorial board on Tuesday.

Now a seasoned lawmaker, she still maintains the passion for the job that she had when she was first elected. There is no doubt that Dianne Feinstein is the best choice for U.S. Senate from California.