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California governor Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, a former adviser to vice-president Kamala Harris and former labor leader, as the replacement for the late Dianne Feinstein in the Senate.
Feinstein, who served in the Senate for 30 years, passed away last week at the age of 90, creating a vacancy in the upper chamber of Congress. This shift in power has implications for the Senate, which is currently controlled by Democrats with a slim majority.
Once Butler, a Democrat, is sworn in, her party will once again control the upper chamber with a 51-49 margin, with three independents supporting the Democrats.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, expressed the importance of Butler’s arrival, stating that her experience and dedication will greatly benefit Senate Democrats.
Currently, Butler serves as the president of Emily’s List, a prominent political group in Washington that promotes the election of female candidates who support abortion rights. She resides just outside of Washington, D.C. in Maryland.
Butler shared her gratitude for Newsom’s nomination and expressed her honor to represent a state she has long considered her home.
Before her current role, Butler held positions at Airbnb as director of public policy and campaigns in North America, as well as at SCRB Strategies, a political consulting firm, where she worked as a Democratic strategist. She also served as a senior adviser to Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign.
Prior to those positions, Butler was the president of Service Employees International Union Local 2015, the largest labor union in California representing homecare workers.
“As we mourn the loss of Senator Feinstein, the very rights she fought for — reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence — face significant challenges,” said Newsom in a statement on Sunday.
“Laphonza has dedicated her entire career to defending women and girls and advocating for working people,” he added.
California’s Democratic governor had previously announced that if Feinstein, whose health visibly declined in recent years, was unable to complete her term, he would nominate a black woman for her seat.
Alex Padilla, the junior senator from California and a fellow Democrat, commended Newsom’s appointment, ensuring that Californians maintain full representation in the Senate despite the narrow Democratic majority.
Feinstein had already confirmed she would not seek re-election in 2024, sparking a competitive Democratic primary for the party’s nomination. Notable candidates include House Democrats Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee.
It remains uncertain whether Butler will enter the race or simply serve the remainder of Feinstein’s term.
“I have no doubt that she will carry on Senator Feinstein’s legacy, shatter glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington,” stated Newsom, emphasizing that Butler will be the first Black lesbian to serve in the US Senate.
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