Gov. Newsom Appoints Laphonza Butler to Late Sen. Feinstein’s Seat

By Sydney Dalske

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has appointed Laphonza Butler to the seat of late senator in a significant move granting the public’s wishes. Dianne Feinstein was the previous senator who passed on September 29, 2023. This marks a pivotal moment in California’s political landscape as Newsom fulfills his pledge to fill her seat, if ever empty, with a Black Senator.

Newsom has been facing pressure in selecting republican Barabara Lee to fill the empty senatorial seat, despite making clear moves towards doing this. Lee is a prominent Black congresswoman but she was not favored over Butler, who’s at the top of Emily’s list.

Emily’s list is a political organization that supports female Democratic candidates that favor abortion rights. Along with being on top of this organization, Butler is also a former labor leader with SEIU 2015. While Butler has never held an elected office before, she was the senior adviser and strategist for Kamala Harris’s 2020 campaign and other political firms.

Democrats control the senate 51-49 even as Feinstein’s seat is still vacant. Newsoms new appointment will give Democrats even more power in close votes that all Republicans uniformly oppose. She could possibly be sworn in as soon as Thursday.

Feinstein was the oldest member of Congress and the longest-serving woman in the Senate. She died at 90 after serving 31 years. Butler called her, “a legendary figure for women in politics and around the country.”.

As Butler takes on this new role she will undoubtedly use her power to advocate for policies that address critical issues for California citizens. Butler´s appointment represents an opportunity to effect positive change and strides towards a more diverse and representative government.