Vice President Harris Swears In Laphonza Butler to Replace Sen. Feinstein

In a historical first, the president of the pro-abortion group Emily’s List became the first black, lesbian US senator.

Emily's List President Laphonza Butler addresses a Biden-Harris campaign rally at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on June 23, 2023, on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which returned regulation of abortion to the states. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Vice President Kamala Harris has sworn in Laphonza Butler as the first black, female U.S. senator. The ceremony took place on the Senate floor on Oct. 3.

On Oct. 1, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, announced that Ms. Butler would succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who died at the age of 90.

Ms. Butler, 44, was the president of Emily’s List, a pro-abortion group, between 2021 and this year.

In picking Ms. Butler, who was an adviser for Ms. Harris during her run for president in the 2020 election cycle, Mr. Newsom kept his promise to appoint a black woman to succeed Ms. Feinstein, who was in the Senate for over three decades.

“An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President [Kamala] Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she’ll represent us proudly in the United States Senate,” said Mr. Newsom in a statement.

“As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for—reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence—have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C,” he continued.

Although Ms. Butler resides in Maryland, Mr. Newsom said she would change her voter registration to California.

Whether she will run for a full term in November 2024 is to be determined. There will be two elections—one for a full, six-year term and one to finish Ms. Feinstein’s term through Jan. 3, 2025.

Ms. Butler declined to comment when reporters asked her whether she would run for either seat.

In addition to abortion, another issue in which Ms. Butler has been deeply involved is the labor movement. She was president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015 union in California, elected at just age 30.

Amy Dacey, one of Ms. Butler’s predecessors at Emily’s List, told The Epoch Times that Ms. Butler will bring an “on-the-ground perspective” to the Senate and work with both sides of the aisle.

“I am honored to accept Gov. Newsom’s nomination to be a U.S. Senator for a state I have long called home,” said Ms. Butler in a statement.

“I am humbled by the Governor’s trust. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s leadership and legacy are immeasurable. I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.

“For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, I’m ready to serve,” she added.