Newsom chooses Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat
California's governor kept his promise to appoint a Black woman to the Senate, but Butler was an unexpected choice
![Laphonza Butler, incoming U.S. senator](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dMhTgxn4pzNeDpWGgoCbEn-415-80.jpg)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) office confirmed late Sunday that he will name Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and former labor leader, to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) death at age 90 on Thursday. Butler is currently president of Emily's List, a national organization that works to elect female Democrats who support abortion rights. She was an adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 campaign.
In naming Butler, Newsom fulfilled a promise to appoint a Black woman to the Senate. He had faced pressure to appoint Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who is running in a competitive three-way race for the same Senate seat; Feinstein intended to retire after her term ended in 2024. But choosing Lee would have given her an advantage over Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter, and Newsom said he wanted to stay neutral in that primary.
Butler will serve through the end of 2024, and if "she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so," Newsom spokesperson Anthony York said Sunday. "There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise." The filing deadline is Dec. 8. Butler could be sworn in as soon as Tuesday evening, The Associated Press reported, returning the Democrats to their 51-49 advantage in the Senate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is Newsom's second Senate appointment after elevating Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in 2020 to fill the vacancy left when Harris became vice president. Butler will be the only Black woman in the Senate and the first openly LGBTQ lawmaker to represent California in the upper chamber. She is currently a resident of Maryland, though she used to live in California and can change her residency back again before being sworn in, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who could replace Biden as the Democratic nominee?
In the Spotlight Several governor's names have popped up
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Gavin Newsom, the California governor who could hit the national stage
In the Spotlight Newsom's name has been floated as a presidential candidate for 2028 — or maybe before then
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Maryland primaries tee up competitive Senate race
Speed Read Former Republican governor Larry Hogan will face Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in a bid for US Senate seat
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'In Ukraine, sadly, promises are hard to keep'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Senate's nixed dress code isn't short of mixed reactions
Why Everyone's Talking About Conservatives are taking issue with the axing of a longstanding Senate tradition
By Justin Klawans Published