California Governor Gavin Newsom has named Laphonza Butler, a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, to fill the Senate seat left by the late Dianne Feinstein.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) made the announcement late Sunday evening.
“I'm proud to announce California's new United States Senator — Laphonza Butler,” Newsom said. “As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for — reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence — have never been under greater assault. Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people.”
According to The Hill, Butler has been a labor leader as well as the leader of EMILY'S List, a powerful group that works to elect women. Newsom said she will step down as president.
Newsom spokesman Anthony York told The Associated Press that the governor did not ask Butler to commit to staying out of the race. The deadline to submit the necessary paperwork to enter the 2024 race is Dec. 8, the AP noted.
“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.”
In a statement shortly after Newsom's announcement Sunday night, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said he was “honored” to welcome Butler to the Senate.
“Throughout her career, Laphonza Butler has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ rights, and a champion for increasing women's representation in politics. I'm honored to welcome her to the United States Senate,” Padilla wrote.
“Governor Newsom's swift action ensures that Californians maintain full representation in the Senate as we navigate a narrow Democratic majority. I look forward to working together to deliver for the people of California,” he added.
According to her EMILY's List biography Butlker currently lives in Maryland, but a spokesperson for Newsom told the AP that she owns a home in California and plans to reregister to vote in California before she is sworn in. The Senate returns to session on Tuesday evening.
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OMG – not biased at all : EMILY’s List is an American political action committee that aims to help elect Democratic female candidates in favor of abortion rights to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1985. The group’s name is an acronym for “Early Money Is Like Yeast”. Malcolm commented that “it makes the dough rise”.
Pretty sure she has to live 6 months a year in the state she is registered to vote in. We all know the corrupt democrats care less about the laws and will pull this off if not stopped.
I guess with being the most populated state in the Union there is no one qualified to fill the seat in the entire state so let’s appoint a resident of Maryland. That alone should make California voters angry, regardless of party affiliation. Of course Governor Newsom did have some rigid requirements: MUST BE Black; MUST BE Female; MUST BE Anti-Second Amendment; MUST BE Pro-Abortion at any point of gestation for any reason or no reason at all; MUST BE LGBTQAI+++ activist; MUST BE “Green” energy advocate; MUST BE Pro Open Borders…of course its a bit easier since an understanding of the Constitution and the legislative process isn’t necessary.
Hmm, not even living in CA, but because she owns a house in CA she is asked to fill a CA political position all due to her skin tone. Idiocy prevails with Newsom, and the DNC!
GIGO for seat, routine kept
Why not Adam Schiff????