A few days after the death of the 90-year-old US Senator Feinstein, a successor has been chosen. Trade unionist and activist Laphonza Butler leads an organization that advocates for abortion rights.
The late US Senator Dianne Feinstein is to be succeeded by the Californian politician and activist Laphonza Butler. This was announced by a spokesman for California Governor Gavin Newsom. Laphonza is expected to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of his term until January 2025. Butler currently chairs Emily’s List, an organization that supports pro-abortion-rights Democratic candidates for political office.
With the personnel decision, the governor fulfilled a promise to appoint a black woman if Feinstein’s mandate became vacant early. Newsom will nominate her today, according to consistent US media reports.
So far without a mandate
Butler has not previously held elected office. The Democrat was an advisor to current Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 presidential campaign. Previously, among other things, she was chairwoman of SEIU Local 2015, the largest US union for home care workers.
Others had previously expressed interest in the post. Parts of the party urged Governor Newsom to appoint Congresswoman Barbara Lee – a prominent and experienced black legislator – as Feinstein’s successor. The governor rejected this, arguing that he would not appoint any of the candidates who were already in the race because this would give them an unfair advantage.
Historical footsteps
Senator Feinstein – who was the oldest in the congressional chamber – died on Thursday in Washington at the age of 90. Feinstein has held numerous high-ranking positions in her long political career, often as a pioneer. From 1978 to 1988 she was the first female mayor of San Francisco, and in 1992 she was the first woman elected to the Senate for the state of California.
President Joe Biden’s Democrats have a majority in the Senate. However, it is quite tight at 51 to 49 seats, so there is likely to be interest in quickly filling the vacant seat.