California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s office confirmed on Sunday evening that he will appoint Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY’s List, to fill the vacant Senate seat left by the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. According to Newsom, Butler will make history as the first openly Black lesbian to join Congress. She will also be the only Black female senator currently serving and the third in the history of the United States.
In a statement on Monday, Butler expressed her honor in accepting Newsom’s nomination, stating that she is humbled by the governor’s trust. She emphasized her commitment to serving the people of California and addressing issues that affect women, workers, unions, and struggling parents looking for opportunities to improve their lives.
Butler’s appointment comes at a critical time for Democrats, who hold a narrow majority in the Senate. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez’s political future due to outcry from his Democratic colleagues over his federal indictment.
Before her appointment as president of EMILY’s List in 2021, Butler held various positions in California politics, including working as an advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris‘ 2020 presidential campaign and serving as a union president. She also worked at Airbnb as a director of public policy and campaigns. Her selection for the Senate seat follows the announcements of several high-profile Democratic candidates seeking to succeed Feinstein.
Newsom had previously committed to appointing a Black woman to Feinstein’s seat if she resigned before the end of her term. While there were calls to appoint Barbara Lee, the only Black woman running for the position, Newsom stated last month that he would not choose any of the current candidates. His office clarified that Butler’s appointment came with no conditions, and any decision to run for a full term would be her own.
Concerns were raised about Butler’s residency, as she had registered to vote in Maryland in 2022. However, Newsom’s office confirmed that she has re-registered to vote in California.
Governor Newsom praised Butler’s dedication to advocating for women, girls, and working people. He described her as a strong voice for LGBTQ rights and a champion for increasing women’s representation in politics. This is Newsom’s second Senate appointment, with his first being the appointment of Alex Padilla to succeed Kamala Harris. Padilla became California’s first Latino senator, and Newsom faced criticism for not choosing a Black woman. He later appointed Shirley Weber, a Black woman, as Padilla’s successor as secretary of state.
The state of California will hold two Senate elections in November: a special election for the remaining months of Feinstein’s term and another for a full six-year term. Primaries for both races will be held in March, and all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will run on the same ballot, with the top two advancing to the general election. California previously held two Senate elections in 2022 following Padilla’s appointment, and he won both races by similar margins.
As the news continues to develop, this story will be updated with additional information. CNN’s Ethan Cohen and Gregory Krieg contributed to this report.
ENND