NEW DELHI: California governor Gavin Newsom has announced his decision to appoint Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, to fill the vacant US Senate seat left by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Butler’s selection fulfills Newsom’s promise to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein’s seat became available.
Laphonza Butler is an American Democratic Party political strategist and the president of EMILY’s List, a group that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. She is also a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and a former labor leader in California.
Before joining EMILY’s List, Butler was the president of SEIU Local 2015, the largest union in California, representing more than 300,000 home care and nursing home workers. She led several campaigns to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for low-income workers, especially women of color. She also served as a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the director of public policy and campaigns in North America for Airbnb.
With this appointment, Butler becomes the only Black woman serving in the US Senate and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the chamber.
Butler, residing in Maryland as per her Emily’s List biography, has an extensive history in California politics. Despite not having held elected office, her political acumen and background make her a notable addition to the Senate. Newsom’s decision to appoint her provides the Democratic caucus with more flexibility, given the Senate’s current 51-49 balance in favor of Democrats (with Feinstein’s seat vacant).
Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, passed away at the age of 90 after a series of illnesses. Butler’s appointment could be confirmed as early as Tuesday evening, offering Democrats a stronger position on close votes. While several prominent Democrats, including Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff, are vying for the Senate seat in the 2024 election, Newsom opted for an appointment, refraining from providing any candidate an unfair advantage in the race. The deadline for candidates to file for the office is December 8.
Laphonza Butler is an American Democratic Party political strategist and the president of EMILY’s List, a group that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. She is also a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and a former labor leader in California.
Before joining EMILY’s List, Butler was the president of SEIU Local 2015, the largest union in California, representing more than 300,000 home care and nursing home workers. She led several campaigns to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for low-income workers, especially women of color. She also served as a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the director of public policy and campaigns in North America for Airbnb.
With this appointment, Butler becomes the only Black woman serving in the US Senate and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the chamber.
Butler, residing in Maryland as per her Emily’s List biography, has an extensive history in California politics. Despite not having held elected office, her political acumen and background make her a notable addition to the Senate. Newsom’s decision to appoint her provides the Democratic caucus with more flexibility, given the Senate’s current 51-49 balance in favor of Democrats (with Feinstein’s seat vacant).
Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, passed away at the age of 90 after a series of illnesses. Butler’s appointment could be confirmed as early as Tuesday evening, offering Democrats a stronger position on close votes. While several prominent Democrats, including Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff, are vying for the Senate seat in the 2024 election, Newsom opted for an appointment, refraining from providing any candidate an unfair advantage in the race. The deadline for candidates to file for the office is December 8.
