Laphonza Butler, a seasoned political strategist known for her close ties to organized labor and her association with Governor Gavin Newsom, has been chosen to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s seat in the U.S. Senate following her passing on Friday.
The appointment, reported by Politico and subsequently confirmed by the governor’s office, brings an end to a brief yet swiftly evolving period of speculation about how Governor Newsom would fulfill his promise to appoint a Black woman to the Senate without further intensifying an already crowded race to succeed Feinstein.
In a statement, Governor Newsom expressed his condolences for the loss of Senator Feinstein and emphasized the pressing need to uphold the very principles she championed, such as reproductive freedom, equal protection, and gun violence prevention. Newsom declared that Laphonza Butler will carry on Senator Feinstein’s legacy, break down barriers, and advocate for all Californians in Washington, D.C.
Butler currently serves as the President of EMILYs List, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic women who support abortion rights. She previously held the position of head at SEIU Local 2015, a union representing long-term caregivers in California, before becoming a partner at SCRB Strategies, formerly known as Newsom’s political consulting firm. Later, she worked in public policy for Airbnb and served as a former University of California regent.
Laphonza Butler’s selection also marks a historic moment for Governor Newsom, as she becomes the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate. She resides in Maryland with her partner, Neneki Lee, and their daughter, Nylah, according to her online biography.
Butler stated in a press release, “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.”
Newsom’s choice drew criticism from Republicans for selecting someone from outside the state. However, Governor Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, clarified that Butler is a long-time California homeowner who relocated to the Washington, D.C. area to lead EMILYs List, and she intends to re-register to vote in California before her Senate oath.
In response to Butler’s appointment, Tony Hoang, the Executive Director of the LGBTQ rights advocacy group Equality California, celebrated the addition of “another voice in Congress at a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack across the country.”
Notably, this marks Governor Newsom’s second Senate appointment, and he faced immense pressure to select a Black woman for the position. Only two Black women, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have ever served as senators, and none currently hold a Senate seat.
Newsom pledged to do so during a March 2021 MSNBC interview to address activists’ concerns when he appointed Alex Padilla as California’s first Latino senator after then-Senator Harris was elected Vice President.
However, Newsom had hinted earlier in the month that he might make an “interim appointment” to fill Feinstein’s seat without getting involved in the primary. This seemingly ruled out Rep. Barbara Lee, an Oakland Democrat who was already running for the Senate, leading to criticism from many quarters.
After Newsom’s announcement, Lee wished Butler well in an online statement but reiterated her focus on her own Senate campaign, aiming to bring progressive priorities to the forefront.
Butler’s appointment could add complexity to the Senate race, as Newsom suggested that his appointee would be free to run for a full term. However, it remains uncertain whether Butler will pursue a Senate run, and if she does, she’ll have to manage two concurrent campaigns: one for the regular election to succeed Feinstein and one for a special election to complete the remainder of the term, which is expected to be held simultaneously, with a primary in March and a potential runoff in November.
Newsom’s communications adviser, Anthony York, clarified that the governor’s initial comment referred to his appointee serving as an interim until the next election and expressed regret for any confusion. Nevertheless, the decision regarding a replacement was still hypothetical at that time.
Butler’s past work in organized labor may lead to divisions among labor groups. Some felt betrayed when she represented Uber in 2019 during the company’s efforts to avoid classifying their drivers as employees. Several unions have already endorsed other candidates in the Senate race.
Governor Newsom’s prompt decision regarding the appointment, set to have Butler sworn in this week, will strengthen the narrow majority held by Democrats in the Senate. This could be a crucial vote in the upcoming months, particularly as Congress needs to pass a bill to fund operations by mid-November after narrowly avoiding a government shutdown over the weekend.
