California Governor Newsom's Surprise Pick To Fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate Seat: Labor Leader Laphonza Butler

California Governor Gavin Newsom has chosen EMILY's List President, Laphonza Butler, to replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, as per a source familiar with the matter.

According to a report by Politico, the announcement came on Monday, two days after Feinstein’s death. Butler, a veteran organizer, is set to be sworn into the U.S. Senate by Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday.

Newsom’s appointment of Butler arrives amid significant change in California’s political establishment. The decision, made swiftly, has taken politicians and interest groups by surprise.

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Newsom fulfills a promise he made to appoint a Black woman to the Senate after Harris’s departure for the vice presidency. Butler, known for her ties with Los Angeles and her role at Airbnb, is the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate.

Newsom’s choice of Butler is a major step in reshaping the state’s political landscape. The governor’s decision could have significant implications for next year's Senate contest.

Butler’s potential run for the seat in 2024 is yet to be confirmed. If she chooses to run, she may face tough competition from well-known Democratic candidates.

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Image by Benjamin Dunn/Neon Tommy Via Wikimedia Commons