On October 2, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he would appoint Laphonza Butler to fill the vacant Senate seat left by the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Butler is the president of EMILY’s List, a political action committee that supports the election of pro-choice Democratic women. She is also a former union organizer and an advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Butler’s appointment is a historic one. She will become the first Black woman to represent California in the Senate, and only the third Black woman to serve in the Senate in US history. She will also be the first woman to represent California in the Senate since Feinstein was appointed in 1992.
Butler’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Senate. Democrats hold a narrow 51-50 majority, and they are facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Butler is a strong advocate for abortion rights and other progressive causes, and she is expected to be a vocal advocate for California in the Senate.
Butler’s qualifications for the Senate seat
Butler is a well-qualified candidate for the Senate seat. She has a long history of public service and advocacy, and she is deeply familiar with the challenges facing Californians.
Butler began her career as a union organizer, where she fought for the rights of working people. She then served as an advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, where she worked on a range of issues, including healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform.
Butler is also a strong advocate for abortion rights and other progressive causes. She is the president of EMILY’s List, a political action committee that supports the election of pro-choice Democratic women.
Butler’s priorities for the Senate
Butler has said that her top priorities in the Senate will be to fight for abortion rights, protect the environment, and expand access to healthcare.
Butler is a strong advocate for abortion rights. She has said that she will fight to codify Roe v. Wade into law and to protect access to abortion services for all women.
Butler is also a strong supporter of environmental protection. She has said that she will fight to combat climate change and to protect California’s natural resources.
Butler has also said that she will work to expand access to healthcare for all Californians. She has said that she will support the Affordable Care Act and that she will fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
Conclusion
Laphonza Butler is a well-qualified candidate for the Senate seat. She has a long history of public service and advocacy, and she is deeply familiar with the challenges facing Californians. Butler is expected to be a strong advocate for California in the Senate, and she will be a valuable asset to the Democratic caucus.
- Butler is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School.
- She is a former union organizer and an advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Butler is the president of EMILY’s List, a political action committee that supports the election of pro-choice Democratic women.
- She is a strong advocate for abortion rights, environmental protection, and expanding access to healthcare.