I apologize for the confusion. Here is the revised news body:
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler as the replacement for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate. Butler, who currently serves as the president of EMILY’s List and previously advised Vice President Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign, will become the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ lawmaker to represent California in the Upper Chamber.
Governor Newsom praised Butler as an advocate for women and working people, as well as a trusted advisor to Vice President Harris. Newsom emphasized that Butler would continue to fight for Californians in Washington D.C. and carry on the legacy of Senator Feinstein, who dedicated her life to championing reproductive freedom, equal protection, and gun violence prevention.
The appointment of Butler comes after the passing of Senator Feinstein last week at the age of 90. Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, had previously announced that she would not seek re-election.
As per Newsom’s pledge to appoint a Black woman in any vacant Senate seat, Butler’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee criticized Newsom’s promise, calling it insulting to Black women as the appointment would be temporary ahead of the primary. Lee, who is already running for Feinstein’s seat, stated that the idea of appointing a Black woman as a mere caretaker undermined the contributions of countless Black women to the Democratic Party.
Newsom clarified that he would not select a candidate who is already running for the seat, aiming to avoid giving anyone an unfair advantage in the upcoming 2024 election. Democratic U.S. Representatives Katie Porter and Adam Schiff, both representing California in Congress, have also launched campaigns to replace Feinstein.
Despite living in Maryland according to FEC filings, Butler’s appointment as Senator Feinstein’s replacement was hailed by Newsom, who did not ask her to commit to staying out of the Senate race. Butler’s extensive experience in California politics and the labor movement, including her role as a senior adviser to Harris’s presidential campaign, makes her a formidable addition to the Senate.
Feinstein’s seat is expected to remain under Democratic control in the 2024 election, as the party has consistently won statewide elections in California since 2006. With the appointment of Laphonza Butler, Newsom has once again exercised his authority to shape California’s representation in the U.S. Senate.
