Women’s Rights Campaigner Laphonza Butler Appointed California Senator, Takes Feinstein's Seat
1 year, 2 months ago

Women’s Rights Campaigner Laphonza Butler Appointed California Senator, Takes Feinstein's Seat

News 18  

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday appointed women’s rights campaigner and former labor union leader Laphonza Butler to the United States Senate, filling the vacancy left by the death of Dianne Feinstein. “I’m proud to announce California’s new United States Senator — Laphonza Butler,” Newsom posted on social media platform X, lauding the new senator for her work “fighting for women and girls” and working people. “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,” said Newsom. Butler has been active in California politics for more than 15 years, serving most recently as the president of Emily’s List, an advocacy organisation that works to help elect pro-choice Democrat women to public office.

California Feinstein Butler Laphonza Butler Senate Newsom  united  politics  serve  seat  senator  campaigner  states  feinsteins  rights  womens  butler  women  left  california  takes  senate  newsom  laphonza

History of this topic

Laphonza Butler, 1st LGBTQ+ Black U.S. senator, exits office as Democrats question identity politics
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Laphonza Butler, 1st LGBTQ+ Black U.S. senator, exits office as Democrats question identity politics

LA Times  

Earlier this year, as Republicans sought to ban books with Black history and LGBTQ+ themes from schools across the country, the nation’s first openly gay Black senator stepped onto the Senate floor and read aloud from some of them. “Because I am a Black woman, because I am a lesbian, because I am myself — a Black woman warrior poet …

Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future
1 month, 1 week ago

Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future

LA Times  

Sen. Laphonza Butler, a co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris’ White House bid, embraces someone as they wait for Harris to deliver her concession speech at Howard University after losing the presidential election. Butler described the Senate as a “foreign land” and recounted the unexpected challenges that marked her tenure, including Hamas’ stealth attack on Israel in October 2023 and …

Black women notch historic Senate wins; first transgender person elected to House
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Black women notch historic Senate wins; first transgender person elected to House

LA Times  

For the first time ever, two Black women were elected Tuesday to serve in the U.S. Senate, while voters also sent a transgender lawmaker to the U.S. House of Representatives. Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks prevailed in their races, doubling the number of Black women ever elected to the Senate — from two to four. “We increased …

Column: California isn’t sending a Black woman to the Senate. But Barbara Lee won anyway
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Column: California isn’t sending a Black woman to the Senate. But Barbara Lee won anyway

LA Times  

Rep. Barbara Lee’s defeat in the U.S. Senate primary was disappointing to a close-knit California sisterhood. “You got 100 people in the Senate and you don’t have one Black woman.” The “Keep the Seat” campaign was born, and the words became a rallying cry. “You’re not in a circle that raises $30 million.” Lee, left, stayed in the race despite …

California’s streak of female senators may be ending — and women appear to be a reason
10 months ago

California’s streak of female senators may be ending — and women appear to be a reason

LA Times  

When Rep. Katie Porter first ran for Congress in 2018, some of the nation’s most influential female leaders and advocacy organizations lined up to support her, including then-Sen. Kamala Harris, Emily’s List and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “People have watched him defend the institution and defend democracy against Donald Trump.” Kamlager-Dove said she’s heard from people — including many …

California’s first lesbian Senate leader could make history again if she runs for governor
1 year, 1 month ago

California’s first lesbian Senate leader could make history again if she runs for governor

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The first time Toni Atkins acted as the governor of California, she used her powers to honor the passing of San Diego Padres baseball player Tony Gwynn while playfully rebuffing Jimmy Kimmel’s advice that she “ invade Oregon. Atkins, now the president pro tempore of the state Senate, has filled in as governor a few more times …

Column: California’s newest senator already proved she’s a rare, selfless politician
1 year, 1 month ago

Column: California’s newest senator already proved she’s a rare, selfless politician

LA Times  

Interim U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler was convinced she could win a full Senate term in next year’s elections. By resisting the temptation to seek a full six-year Senate term — the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat — Butler did herself, the Democratic Party and California citizens a big favor. “I think she would have had a very hard time even …

Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024
1 year, 2 months ago

Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. LOS ANGELES — Newly appointed California Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler announced Thursday she will not seek election to a full term in 2024, avoiding what would have been a costly and bruising race for the seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein. “It may not be the …

Sen. Laphonza Butler, caretaker of the late Dianne Feinstein’s seat, won’t run in 2024 election
1 year, 2 months ago

Sen. Laphonza Butler, caretaker of the late Dianne Feinstein’s seat, won’t run in 2024 election

LA Times  

The announcement by Sen. Laphonza Butler means she won’t shake up an already volatile race that includes three prominent Democrats. Labor leader and prominent Democratic activist Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat after the veteran California politician died, announced Thursday that she would not run for a full Senate term in 2024. It may not …

How Newsom made his surprise decision for Senate pick
1 year, 2 months ago

How Newsom made his surprise decision for Senate pick

LA Times  

Then-California Democratic candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. “Everybody else said, ‘Well, he’s painted himself in a corner,’” Newsom told reporters in San Francisco last week. “So how you make the choice and the media narrative that week is much less important than the choice that you make and what that means for California’s representation in the Senate going forward.” Newsom …

Column: Black women pulled together for a Senate seat. Now it’s pulling Black women apart
1 year, 2 months ago

Column: Black women pulled together for a Senate seat. Now it’s pulling Black women apart

LA Times  

California’s new senator, Laphonza Butler, is sworn into the Congressional Black Caucus at the U.S. Capitol last week. “Every Black woman he called should have been like, ‘Do you need Barbara’s number?’” lamented one member of the sisterhood who, like so many, didn’t want to be named. “All the Black women in California, in the political sphere, were in lockstep …

Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in US history, replaces late California Sen. Feinstein
1 year, 2 months ago

Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in US history, replaces late California Sen. Feinstein

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history. Schumer, D-N.Y., said that “today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.” He said Butler has …

Feinstein's successor Laphonza Butler takes office as California's new senator
1 year, 2 months ago

Feinstein's successor Laphonza Butler takes office as California's new senator

NPR  

Feinstein's successor Laphonza Butler takes office as California's new senator Enlarge this image toggle caption Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images Laphonza Butler, a former labor leader and Democratic strategist, was sworn-in as California's new U.S. "I can't help but think of how proud Senator Feinstein would be, seeing someone as brilliant, as accomplished, as history-making as Laphonza …

California’s incoming senator, Laphonza Butler, describes her whirlwind trip into history
1 year, 2 months ago

California’s incoming senator, Laphonza Butler, describes her whirlwind trip into history

LA Times  

Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler addresses a Biden-Harris campaign rally on the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs vs. Jackson decision, which struck down a federal right to abortion. “And it’s been a sort of whirlwind ever since.” California Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein’s Senate seat Butler is a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the …

California governor chooses labor leader and Democratic insider to fill Feinstein's Senate seat
1 year, 2 months ago

California governor chooses labor leader and Democratic insider to fill Feinstein's Senate seat

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking to reporters Monday in San Francisco, Newsom …

California governor chooses labor leader and Democratic insider to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat
1 year, 2 months ago

California governor chooses labor leader and Democratic insider to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — When California Gov. Newsom said he told Butler to “do what you think is best for you and the state of California, and you make that judgment completely independent of any expectations from me.” Her selection drew swift criticism from Republicans, who have long struggled in a liberal-leaning state where Democrats haven’t lost a statewide election since …

Laphonza Butler Will Be The First Black, Openly LGBTQ+ Woman In The Senate Or House
1 year, 2 months ago

Laphonza Butler Will Be The First Black, Openly LGBTQ+ Woman In The Senate Or House

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Laphonza Butler, who California Gov. Laphonza’s appointment today is an exception to that rule, being a big step forward in our push for a more representative government.” “It is only right that a Black woman who has paved the way for countless others to lead is now given an opportunity to lead herself,” said NAACP president and …

California governor names Laphonza Butler, former Kamala Harris adviser, to Feinstein Senate seat
1 year, 2 months ago

California governor names Laphonza Butler, former Kamala Harris adviser, to Feinstein Senate seat

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, to fill the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein. In choosing Butler on Sunday, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein’s seat became open. Butler said Monday she …

Will she run or won’t she? Laphonza Butler’s appointment could scramble California Senate race
1 year, 2 months ago

Will she run or won’t she? Laphonza Butler’s appointment could scramble California Senate race

LA Times  

The death of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Friday and Gov. “Butler would be a very formidable candidate who’s capable of making it into the top two,” advancing from the primary to the general election, said Feinstein’s 2018 campaign manager Jeff Millman, citing her fundraising prowess. Lee, Porter and Schiff applauded Newsom’s pick, with the Oakland representative saying she looked …

Column: Straight-talking Feinstein, maligned by far left and right, was California’s best
1 year, 2 months ago

Column: Straight-talking Feinstein, maligned by far left and right, was California’s best

LA Times  

Dianne Feinstein was the kind of dedicated, workaholic, straight-talking public servant we’d like all our elected officials to be. Not everyone liked Feinstein’s politics, although she was elected to the U.S. Senate six times and was the longest-serving senator in California history when she died Friday at 90. “She embodied the power of women in the political arena,” says Susan …

Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein’s Senate seat
1 year, 2 months ago

Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein’s Senate seat

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom has picked Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the labor movement, to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died Friday at age 90. “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 …

Newsom’s pick to replace Feinstein could run in the 2024 Senate election
1 year, 2 months ago

Newsom’s pick to replace Feinstein could run in the 2024 Senate election

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom, shown at an event in May, is under pressure to quickly name his pick for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat. Gavin Newsom deliberated over the weekend over whom he will appoint to the Senate following the death Friday of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, supporters of Rep. Barbara Lee mounted a campaign on her behalf and the governor’s staff worked to …

California Gov. Newsom will pick Feinstein’s replacement. He pledged in past to choose a Black woman
1 year, 2 months ago

California Gov. Newsom will pick Feinstein’s replacement. He pledged in past to choose a Black woman

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He has also promised to avoid the field …

California Gov. Newsom will pick Feinstein’s replacement. He pledged in past to choose a Black woman
1 year, 2 months ago

California Gov. Newsom will pick Feinstein’s replacement. He pledged in past to choose a Black woman

Associated Press  

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Democrats’ fragile majority in the U.S. Senate puts extra pressure on California Gov. He also has said he would avoid the field of candidates already campaigning for the post, which will be on the ballot next year and includes Rep. Barbara Lee, one of the state’s most prominent Black women currently serving in elected office. Aimee …

Barbara Lee to Newsom: Choosing a Black woman for short-term appointment is ‘insulting’
1 year, 3 months ago

Barbara Lee to Newsom: Choosing a Black woman for short-term appointment is ‘insulting’

LA Times  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s recent health troubles and advanced age have focused attention and pressure on another former San Francisco mayor: It would be up to Gov. Despite pressure on Newsom to appoint a Black woman to take Harris’ seat, the Democratic governor instead tapped then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a longtime political ally who made history as California’s first Latino …

Feinstein’s absence puts focus on Newsom’s promise to appoint a Black woman as senator
1 year, 8 months ago

Feinstein’s absence puts focus on Newsom’s promise to appoint a Black woman as senator

LA Times  

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington in Feb. 2022. “The governor could complicate his legacy and push Black women, who in this state are a significant and critical voting bloc, to view him skeptically as someone who’s unwilling to support us when it counts.” The 100-member Senate does not include a single …

Rep. Barbara Lee tells colleagues she plans to run for Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024
1 year, 11 months ago

Rep. Barbara Lee tells colleagues she plans to run for Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024

LA Times  

Rep. Barbara Lee was considered a top contender for a potential appointment to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein if the senator were to vacate her seat before her term expires. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, a seasoned progressive with more than three decades immersed in California politics, on Wednesday told congressional colleagues she plans to run for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s …

Column: For women in politics, California strategist offers a fresh face and added mission
3 years, 1 month ago

Column: For women in politics, California strategist offers a fresh face and added mission

LA Times  

Laphonza Butler, a longtime labor organizer and California political strategist, is the first women of color to lead the women’s political organization EMILY’s List. When Ellen Malcolm founded EMILY’s List, an organization dedicated to electing women to political office, she worried people would think the name was, well, kind of dumb. The group has had three leaders since its founding …

Newsom will appoint Black woman if Feinstein retires early
3 years, 9 months ago

Newsom will appoint Black woman if Feinstein retires early

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday he’d appoint a Black woman to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein if she retires before her term is up in 2024. He faced competing pressure to name a Latino and a Black woman and eventually chose Alex Padilla, making him California’s first Latino U.S. senator. U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland …

Newsom pledges to appoint a Black woman to replace Feinstein if she retires
3 years, 9 months ago

Newsom pledges to appoint a Black woman to replace Feinstein if she retires

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento on Feb. 27. Newsom said Monday he would nominate a Black woman to fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, were she to retire. Gavin Newsom pledged Monday to nominate a Black woman to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein if the 87-year-old decides to retire before her term is up in 2024. “I have …

Gov. Newsom challenged to address Senate’s lack of diversity
4 years ago

Gov. Newsom challenged to address Senate’s lack of diversity

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Should California get its first Latino U.S. senator or should the 100-member chamber maintain one Black woman’s voice? The only Black woman to be a major party’s nominee for Senate this year — Marquita Bradshaw in Tennessee — was not supported by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “But that just did not happen for Tennessee.” Black women’s …

Gov. Newsom challenged to address Senate's lack of diversity
4 years ago

Gov. Newsom challenged to address Senate's lack of diversity

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Without Harris, the only Black woman in the Senate, the chamber has: — two Black senators, …

Column: Should California’s next U.S. senator be Black or Latino? Both if Feinstein quits
4 years ago

Column: Should California’s next U.S. senator be Black or Latino? Both if Feinstein quits

LA Times  

When the leader of California’s Legislative Black Caucus talks about why it should be a Black woman who replaces Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate, she often comes back to the old adage about political power. “If you don’t have a seat at the table,” Assemblywoman Shirley Weber told me, “then you’re on the menu.” And Black people in California …

Who will be Kamala Harris' successor as California senator?
4 years, 1 month ago

Who will be Kamala Harris' successor as California senator?

LA Times  

With the presidential race called for Democrat Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, on Saturday, California Gov. He might select a Black woman to replace Harris, who was only the second Black woman in the nation’s history to serve in the U.S. Senate. In congratulating Biden and Harris, Newsom said he is confident that they “can turn …

Discover Related