fullscreenLaphonza Butler. Archive image. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/TT
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (Dem) has nominated Laphonza Butler to replace recently deceased veteran Dianne Feinstein in the Senate. Newsom is thus making good on his promise to appoint a black woman if Feinstein’s seat becomes vacant.
Butler becomes the first black and openly gay woman to represent California in the Senate.
“No one can ever match the legacy of Senator Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by working for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents and all of California,” she said.
At 90, Dianne Feinstein was the oldest sitting senator in the US Congress.