Gavin Newsom reveals pick to fill Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat

EMILYs List president Laphonza Butler will take over the seat left vacant by Feinstein’s death

California Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed his pick to fill the US Senate seat left by the late Dianne Feinstein.

In a late-night announcement on Sunday, the governor announced that Laphonza Butler will be appointed to the seat to represent the people of California in Washington.

“I’m proud to announce California’s new United States Senator – Laphonza Butler. As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for – reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence -- have never been under greater assault,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people. She will make history – becoming the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate.

“From her time as President of EMILY’s List to leading the state’s largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values. I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington.”

Following her appointment, Ms Butler – the president of EMILYs List – will become the only Black woman currently serving in the US Senate and the third ever in American history.

She will also be the first openly LGBT+ person to represent California in the upper chamber.

She could be sworn in as soon as Tuesday evening when the US Senate returns to session.

Ms Butler is the president of EMILYs List – an organisation that aims to elect Democratic women who support abortion and reproductive rights.

She joined the organisation in 2021, becoming the first woman of colour to lead it.

Before then, she worked for Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign team.

However, much of her career has involved working in the labour movement.

Laphonza Butler is the president of EMILYs List – an organisation which aims to elect Democratic women who support abortion and reproductive rights (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

As governor, Mr Newsom was responsible for appointing a temporary replacement to fill the seat left vacant following Feinstein’s death.

The longtime Democratic senator– who was a pioneer for women in Washington throughout her five-decade career in politics – died last Thursday at the age of 90.

Her term was due to end in 2024 with several candidates already having thrown their hats into the ring to become her successor.

Mr Newsom previously indicated that he would appoint a Black woman to her seat if Feinstein couldn’t complete her term – however he said that he would not appoint any of the candidates for the 2024 race.

An election will be held to fill seat in the 2024 race.

Feinstein’s death came after a series of health setbacks this year, including an extended time out of the Senate following a hospitalisation for shingles in the spring – all of which fuelled growing concerns about her ability to represent the people of California in Washington.

She returned to Congress two months later, looking frail as she was pushed into the chambers in a wheelchair to cast her votes on crucial bills.

Her appearance prompted calls for her to step down from her position – a call she flatly refused.

In August, she was briefly hospitalised again after her office said she suffered a “minor fall” in her California home.

It also emerged that she had ceded power of attorney to her daughter.

At the time of her death, Feinstein was the oldest sitting senator in the US Senate, spending around three decades as a senator.