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 Butler take her place," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Asked Monday if it would be good for the state if Butler decided to run, Newsom said "she'll make that decision," and reiterated that he placed "no constraints, no expectations" on Butler's future plans. California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher dubbed Butler "Maryland's 3rd US Senator," in a statement, adding "Out of 40 million California residents, Gavin Newsom seriously couldn't find one to serve in the Senate?"

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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 …

Schiff to be sworn in Monday as California’s next U.S. senator
3 weeks ago

Schiff to be sworn in Monday as California’s next U.S. senator

LA Times  

Rep. Adam B. Schiff addresses a crowd gathered at a campaign event at the UA Union Hall in Orange in March. Sen.-elect Adam B. Schiff will be sworn in as California’s next U.S. senator on Monday, replacing Sen. Laphonza Butler, according to sources familiar with the arrangements. Former Assemblymember Laura Friedman, a Democrat, won election in Schiff’s House district and …

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 …

Endorsement: Michelle Chambers for Senate District 35
2 months, 1 week ago

Endorsement: Michelle Chambers for Senate District 35

LA Times  

Voters in California’s 35th Senate District may have a hard time choosing between Democrats Michelle Chambers and Laura Richardson, who each present their fair share of drawbacks. The agency may indeed be too slow, but it would not be under Richardson’s purview in the Senate, and it obviously is not responsible for inadequate housing construction in Inglewood, Compton, Carson or …

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 …

Prominent Democrats duel ex-baseball star Garvey for Feinstein’s US Senate seat in California
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Prominent Democrats duel ex-baseball star Garvey for Feinstein’s US Senate seat in California

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. LOS ANGELES — A crowded primary contest to fill the U.S. Senate seat once held by the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is showing again that money matters in notoriously expensive California while testing whether the state’s long-squabbling Republicans can unite behind a single candidate for an outside chance at …

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 Dem Ro Khanna Will Not Run for Senate, Endorses Barbara Lee's Bid
1 year, 8 months ago

California Dem Ro Khanna Will Not Run for Senate, Endorses Barbara Lee's Bid

News 18  

California Democratic Party and House of Representative member Ro Khanna announced on Sunday that he will not be running for Senate next year. The Indian-American will endorse fellow California House of Representative Barbara Lee’s campaign to replace retiring California Democratic Party senator Dianne Feinstein in the US Senate. A close ally of Vermont’s independent senator Bernie Sanders, Khanna, praised Lee …

These Democrats hoping to replace Feinstein largely agree on policy. So how do they differ?
1 year, 10 months ago

These Democrats hoping to replace Feinstein largely agree on policy. So how do they differ?

LA Times  

Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland, Adam B. Schiff of Burbank and Katie Porter of Irvine, from left, hope to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The biggest names vying to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein largely agree on many issues dearest to Democratic voters, so their differing political passions, generational perspectives and life stories will likely be front and center …

California Sen. Feinstein says she won’t run for reelection
1 year, 10 months ago

California Sen. Feinstein says she won’t run for reelection

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose groundbreaking political career shattered gender barriers from San Francisco’s City Hall to the corridors of Capitol Hill, said Tuesday she won’t seek reelection in 2024. “She changed this country and she was a woman on the front lines in fights, like access to assault weapons, and national security and intelligence.” Warren added: …

Dianne Feinstein Announces She’s Not Running For Reelection In 2024
1 year, 10 months ago

Dianne Feinstein Announces She’s Not Running For Reelection In 2024

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced Tuesday that she won’t run for reelection in 2024, signaling an end to her more than 30 years in the Senate. Tom Williams via Getty Images Shortly after her office released her statement, Feinstein told Capitol Hill reporters that it “wasn’t supposed to go out yet.” She said her decision not to run …

Who will replace the late Sen. Feinstein in 2024 election? Meet the potential candidates
1 year, 10 months ago

Who will replace the late Sen. Feinstein in 2024 election? Meet the potential candidates

LA Times  

Even before the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a historic force in California politics whose death was announced in late September, initially revealed that she would not seek reelection in 2024, ambitious Democratic politicians had begun lining up to replace her. Feinstein, 90, had been in the public eye for more than half a century, notably since she became San Francisco’s …

Letters to the Editor: California is lucky to have so many great Senate candidates
1 year, 10 months ago

Letters to the Editor: California is lucky to have so many great Senate candidates

LA Times  

To the editor: It seems that everyone, including The Times, is predicting a brutal primary for the seat held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein. I would be proud to have Reps. Katie Porter, Adam B. Schiff or Barbara Lee represent California in the Senate. If I sound naive in hoping that their campaigns will emphasize their own strengths and not focus …

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 …

Rep. Katie Porter seeking Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024
1 year, 11 months ago

Rep. Katie Porter seeking Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of California said Tuesday she will seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat and the oldest member of the chamber. “That’s exactly why I’m announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate in 2024.” Porter is a progressive Democrat who was first elected to Congress in 2018 …

Column: Katie Porter just forced the California Senate race into the open, where it belongs
1 year, 11 months ago

Column: Katie Porter just forced the California Senate race into the open, where it belongs

LA Times  

Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, seen at a 2019 town hall meeting, got a jump on the competition by announcing her 2024 Senate bid. By launching her bid for U.S. Senate — open, upfront, for all the world to plainly see — Rep. Katie Porter has placed the contest where it belongs: squarely before the voters of California. Politics Rep. Katie …

Rep. Katie Porter announces bid for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat
1 year, 11 months ago

Rep. Katie Porter announces bid for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat

LA Times  

Rep. Katie Porter of Orange County announces she’ll run for the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who at 89 is not expected to seek reelection in 2024. “There’s always an advantage in being early, as long as you’re not seen as inappropriately speculating on someone’s retirement,” said Rose Kapolczynski, who managed former California Sen. Barbara Boxer’s campaigns. It’ll be …

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