Newsom taps Emily’s List leader to fill Feinstein’s seat
ANAHEIM, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said late Sunday that he plans to appoint Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died last week at the age of 90.
Feinstein had just over a year left in her term, and had said she would not run again. Three of California’s top Democrats — Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — are in a contentious primary contest to fill the seat starting in January 2025, in what is likely to be the most expensive congressional race in the nation next year.
Vice President Kamala Harris will swear in Ms. Butler on Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, Ms. Harris’ office announced Monday. Ms. Butler’s presence will help Democrats retain their narrow control of the Senate.
The interim appointment was first reported Sunday night by Politico. In announcing his decision later Sunday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Mr. Newsom noted that Ms. Butler will make history as the first openly lesbian Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. “Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people,” he said.
“From her time as President of EMILY’s List to leading the state’s largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values,” Newsom said in his statement. “I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington.”
Ms. Butler lives in Maryland, but is a former Los Angeles resident, and a spokesperson said she has been a California homeowner since 2011. By midmorning Monday, Ms. Butler had already re-registered to vote in California. Her spokesperson said her team is “confident that Ms. Butler is fully compliant” with the requirements to serve as the GoldenState’s senator.
Ms. Butler said in a statement she was humbled by the governor’s trust and honored to accept the nomination to serve as senator “for a state I have long called home.”
“For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, I’m ready to serve,” Ms. Butler said.
Ms. Butler’s appointment will extend until at least November 2024.
Ms. Butler has deep ties in the labor movement after decades working in a variety of roles. Before heading Emily’s List, the fundraising powerhouse group that has worked to support Democratic women up and down the ballot, she served as the president of SEIU Local 2015, a union that represented 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers throughout California.