Gov. Newsom announces Laphonza Butler as Feinstein’s Senate replacement
The United States Capitol is pictured. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday evening that he has chosen Laphonza Butler, a former member of the UC Board of Regents, to replace the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. (Myka Fromm/Assistant Photo editor)
By Christopher Buchanan
Oct. 1, 2023 9:22 p.m.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler to replace Dianne Feinstein as one of California’s United States senators after Feinstein’s passing.
Butler served on the UC Board of Regents from August 2018 until she resigned in September 2021. She has served as the president of Emily’s List – a political action committee that supports and endorses women in politics – for two years and was a senior campaign adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential run. She graduated from Jackson State University with a political science degree, according to the Board of Regents.
The Senate seat will be open for a full term in the 2024 election.
Feinstein, who died at 90 years old, had served as one of California’s senators since 1992.
