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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former Labor leader, to replace the late Dianne Feinstein. Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.
Feinstein, who served in the Senate for three decades, died last week at the age of 90, leaving a vacancy in Congress’ upper chamber. Her death changed the balance of power in the Senate, which Democrats narrowly control.
When Butler, a Democrat, is sworn in, her party will effectively regain control of the upper chamber by a 51-49 margin, with three independents voting with Democrats.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Butler joins the Senate at a “critical time,” adding that her “breadth of work, acumen and public service will fill this moment and be of great help to Senate Democrats.” .
Butler is currently president of Emily’s List, a major political group in Washington that works to elect female candidates who support abortion rights. She lives in Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC.
Butler said in a statement that she was “honored” to accept Newsom’s nomination to represent “the state I have long called home.”
She previously served as Airbnb’s director of public policy and campaigns for North America and as a Democratic strategist at political consulting firm SCRB Strategies. Butler is also a senior adviser to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign.
Prior to these roles, Butler served as 2015 president of the Service Employees International Union, California’s largest union representing home care workers.
“As we mourn the tremendous loss of Senator Feinstein, the freedoms she fought for — reproductive freedom, equal protection and safety from gun violence — There has never been a greater attack.”
“LaFonza has fought for women and girls her entire career and has been a fierce advocate for working people.”
California’s Democratic governor has previously said that Feinstein’s health deteriorated significantly in her final years and that he would nominate a Black woman for her seat if she was unable to complete her term.
Alex Padilla, a junior senator from California and a fellow Democrat, praised Newsom’s appointment, saying the governor “acted quickly to ensure Californians remain fully represented in the Senate even as Democrats narrowly won.” right”.
Feinstein confirmed this year that she would not seek re-election in 2024, setting off a fierce primary race among Democrats vying for the party’s nomination for the seat. Several high-profile Democrats have launched campaigns, including House Democrats Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.
It’s unclear whether Butler will run or simply serve out the remainder of Feinstein’s term.
“I have no doubt that she will pick up the baton left by Senator Feinstein and continue to break the glass ceiling and fight for all Californians in Washington,” Newsom said, noting that Butler would be the first U.S. Black lesbians serving in the Senate.
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