It was a poor choice for a variety of reasons.
After the passing of long-serving U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom picked a replacement to serve until the next election. His choice of Laphonza Butler – president of the Emily’s List political action committee, which helps elect female abortion-rights supporters to Congress – hasn’t been as well received as the governor had expected. It was a poor choice for a variety of reasons.
Butler isn’t even a resident of California. She had previously lived here, but only changed her voting registration over the weekend. “I applaud Governor Newsom for recognizing there are now so many Californians who have moved to other states that they deserve their own senator,” said U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, in a snarky post on X.
Perhaps wisely, Newsom said he didn’t want to interfere in the Democratic primary by choosing one of the announced candidates. News reports focused on the Butler “makes history” storyline given that she is the only Black woman now serving in the Senate and California’s first LGBQT senator.
