The British tabloids were full of speculation about the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s seat and who would serve the remainder of her term. Obviously, they believed that the Duchess of Sussex was not only “in contention,” but that Meghan was actively putting herself up for the job. Meghan was not in contention, nor was she campaigning for the seat behind-the-scenes. California Governor Gavin Newsom had a tricky job here – he had to appoint someone who wouldn’t use the remainder of Feinstein’s term to launch his or her campaign. Newsom didn’t want to “pick sides” before the primary, so this person just had to be a powerful seat-filler who only wants to serve for fifteen months or so. Gov. Newsom figured out an extremely elegant solution: he will appoint the president of EMILY’s List, the organization which fundraises for pro-choice candidates across the country. Laphonza Butler will get to use the resources of Feinstein’s office and this position to put a spotlight on abortion rights. In a presidential election year. This is PERFECT:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, elevating the head of a fundraising juggernaut that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, according to a person familiar with the decision.
Newsom is moving swiftly to name the next senator, two days after Feinstein’s death and just as a perilously split Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown. Senate Democrats are in need of every vote in the closely divided chamber.
The announcement was expected to come Monday, and an adviser to the governor, Anthony York, told POLITICO that Newsom is making his appointment without putting limitations or preconditions on his pick running for the seat in 2024. That means Butler could decide to join the sprawling and competitive field of Democratic contenders seeking to succeed Feinstein, with special elections now layered on top of the March primary and November runoff. Butler is expected to be sworn-in to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Newsom’s selection of Butler comes at a moment of immense change in California’s political establishment, with millions of people still mourning the death of Feinstein, the barrier-breaking Senate lioness. Meanwhile the California governor, who was mentored by Feinstein, has been grappling with his own personal grief and the political ramifications of his choice to succeed her.
The people who spoke with POLITICO ahead of the announcement were granted anonymity to disclose internal deliberations. Butler is registered to vote in Maryland but will switch her registration to California.
“Newsom is making his appointment without putting limitations or preconditions on his pick running for the seat in 2024,” yeah but the only way she’s getting it is because Newsom believes that she won’t throw her hat into the ring. People are saying one thing to Politico, while Newsom’s people are probably quietly briefing the California Democratic caucus that Butler won’t run. Anyway, this was a great call by Newsom. It also overshadows the fact that he made a deeply unpopular decision: he vetoed a bill supported by SAG-AFTRA, which would have enabled striking workers to collect unemployment benefits. Literally, within the same newscycle, he kneecapped unions AND gave a national platform to abortion rights.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Laphonza Butler, welcome! Emily’s list/ pro choice is an excellent argument and motivator.
I’m not happy that Newsom is kneecapping unions. My guess is that he’s financially more supported by “big business”—anyone from California who has more information about why he did that?
California’s debt has gone up to nearly $32B. Newsom is saying he doesn’t have the funding.
Looking forward to Laphonza Butler!
Truthiness, Thanks! That’s also in the Deadline article…I just figured since many of the Sag Aftra strikers are struggling with earning an income that it would make sense to support them better. Then someone here was like that’s not how it works in Europe either—that would be crazy. My brain is clearly messed up…
That law would’ve covered every unionized worker in the state. The CA nurses union is expected to go out in a week or so. I understand the politics of legislators running for re-election next year voting for it but CA doesn’t have the money. This bill would need a permanent funding source other than the general fund.
The union should have a strike fund for this purpose. If you leave the job voluntarily, why should you get unemployment?
Legislatures can pass any bill they want. Governors have to deal with the consequences. Of course, unions should have strike funds. Unemployment insurance was never intended to fund striking workers.
The Mail also had someone arguging that Newsom should let the people decide who replaces Feinstein. These Brits, once again, show they have no clue how US politics works.
Those fools only chimed in because someone lied and tweeted that Duchess Meghan wanted the senate seat given to her. Nevermind the fact that she has never expressed any political interest EVER. She has only ever implored her congress and senate to do right by the people of this country.
Masterful choice with Butler. She’s highly accomplished and will do very well.
Nice strategic move. Damn, I wish he was my governor and she was my senator. You wouldn’t believe the buffoons we have here in TN.
Same Gabby and I totally understand cause I live in Texas 😬
I have been proud of Gavin Newsom since he stood up for gay marriage. I think he was the first politician to do so. He has never been afraid of making the right decision even if it makes him unpopular.
I am so pleased that he chose Laphonza Butler.
As far as I know, he’s always been a strong LGBTQ ally. He’s not perfect, but I do LOVE that about him.
Newsom has done some pretty un-progressive things – he’s a centrist at best. Yes, this was a great decision, but he isn’t a political savior in any way. He changes his tone based on the audience. Just ask him about student loan debt, those unions discussed above and the Teamsters – particularly the bill he just vetoed that would require a human being to be in the cab of a self-driving semi truck. There’s no perfect politician, so you’re absolutely entitled to like him regardless, but it’s important to know who you’re promoting/voting for.
Name the last political candidate to seek nationwide (or influential statewide office) that wasn’t a “centrist”? I’m very much a political “leftist,” but to ever think that this country (or any of its densely populated states) are anything but “centrist”… is a mistake.
I was just speaking with someone who has inside knowledge and said it would be political suicide for the appointee to run. I’m not sold on that theory but I guess we’ll see. This seems like a solid arrangement with a political strategist as the interim.
I’m not so sure, Laphonza Butler has a lot of powerful friends in DC.
I’m thinking I may have misunderstood and it would be a bad look for Newsom, himself, to have stacked the deck, and thus is likely to have a solid agreement with the appointee about not running.
Welcome Senator Butler!! And thank you Governor Newsom for selecting a wonderful person and quick too. Stopped the speculation and what-ifs.
I have my issues with Newsom but he’s no fool. He’d been vetting the interim for awhile and knew exactly who it was. He had to wait a respectful amount of time to announce, but was also under insane time pressure to do so. Gonna restate my earlier sentiment that while I have always suspected he’s building towards the highest office, I more and more think Newsom is shaping up nicely as a career maker. He’s an amazing man behind the women in power.
Bonus: She has a place in Maryland – for those not familiar with the area, it’s basically one giant suburb of DC. So she had a place to stay when in session (that’s not her office).
IDK but maybe if the millionaires and billionaires that live in CA. Actually paid their fair share of taxes. There might be more money for the state. Instead of using every tax loophole they can.
Very happy about his pick, may Dianne watch over her as a guardian angel.