Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY’s List and Ally of Kamala Harris, Appointed to U.S. Senate

Laphonza Butler, the President of EMILY’s List and a close ally of Vice President Kamala Harris, has been appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Dianne Feinstein, who recently passed away. This move places Butler in the Senate until the 2024 election, which will determine the permanent replacement for Feinstein, who had already announced her retirement.

In California’s jungle primary system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, will advance to the general election. Given the state’s Democratic stronghold, the seat is expected to remain in Democratic hands.

Butler, a resident of Maryland, has re-registered to vote in California. A spokesperson stated, “This week Laphonza is focused on respecting and honoring Sen. Feinstein’s legacy and getting ready to serve the people of California in the Senate. Politics can wait.”

A Strong Background in Union Leadership and Advocacy
Butler’s career began with organizing food service workers and janitors, and she later moved to California to oversee a significant union of long-term care and assisted living workers, SEIU 2015. Under her leadership, the union grew to become the largest in California and the largest of home health workers. Her achievements garnered both praise and opposition within the SEIU.

After nearly a decade with the union, Butler became a partner at a firm that advised Kamala Harris during her 2019 presidential campaign. She served as a senior adviser on Harris’s campaign, which ended with Harris withdrawing from the race before any contests were held.

Championing Abortion Rights with EMILY’s List
Before her Senate appointment, Butler worked as the President of EMILY’s List, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic, pro-abortion rights women. She played a prominent role in advocating against the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dobbs case and GOP-backed laws restricting abortion access at the state level.

Butler’s appointment as president of EMILY’s List marked a milestone as she became the first woman of color to hold the position. She worked to support President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris on reproductive rights issues, organizing political rallies in their favor.

A Trailblazer in the Senate
Laphonza Butler’s appointment to the Senate makes her the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the Senate and the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress. She shares a daughter with her partner, Neneki Lee.

Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted that Butler will be only the second Black woman to represent California in the Senate, following in the footsteps of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Butler’s past collaborations with women senators and her strong advocacy for women’s rights, labor, and reproductive freedom provide insight into the issues she may champion as a senator. Her focus on equity in background checks for home care workers, support for Black maternal health, and her efforts to elect Democratic women align with her expected priorities in the Senate.

Senators Maggie Hassan and Patty Murray, among others, expressed enthusiasm for working with Butler on various issues, including protecting abortion rights and improving access to child care.