California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced late Sunday evening that he would name Laphonza Butler, a former trade unionist turned women’s rights activist, as the new senator in the US Congress, replacing Dianne Feinstein.
The death, Thursday at the age of 90, of Mme Feinstein, an influential Democrat recognized for her driving role in favor of the place of women in politics, had left a vacant seat in the Senate.
“I am proud to announce the new United States Senator for California – Laphonza Butler,” the governor announced on X (formerly Twitter).
This appointment maintains the narrow Democratic majority in the Senate.
Mme Butler, a figure in Californian politics for around fifteen years, is the current patron of Emily’s List, an association which campaigns to help elect Democratic women and those in favor of abortion rights.
She was also the campaign advisor to Kamala Harris, who became Joe Biden’s vice-president. She had previously been at the head of the largest union in California.
Laphonza Butler will also be the first black and lesbian woman in the US Senate, noted Gavin Newsom.
She “has always fought for what is right,” the California governor wrote, “I have no doubt that she will continue the path of Senator Feinstein, break the glass ceiling and fight for all Californians in Washington.”
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