Laphonza Butler will fill the U.S. Senate seat once held by Senator Dianne Feinstein, who passed away at the age of 90 in September.
“An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she’ll represent us proudly in the United States Senate,” Newsom said in a prepared statement.
“As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for — reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence — have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.”
Butler previously worked as an adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris. She has also stepped in as the president of EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women to office. In addition, she has contributed to the University of California Board of Regents, BLACK PAC and National Children’s Defense Fund. Her work earned her the title of “Champion for Change” from President Barack Obama.
