Laphonza Butler Is Named to Late Dianne Feinstein’s Senate Seat

Laphonza Butler Is Named , to Late Dianne Feinstein’s Senate Seat.

Sen.

Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in Senate history, died at the age of 90 on Sept.

29.

On Oct.

1, California Gov.

Gavin Newsom named EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler to fill the vacant seat, 'The Hill' reports.

.

On Oct.

1, California Gov.

Gavin Newsom named EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler to fill the vacant seat, 'The Hill' reports.

.

Butler, who is also a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, .

Butler, who is also a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, .

Will make history by becoming the first openly gay Black woman to serve in the Senate.

I’m proud to announce California’s new United States Senator — Laphonza Butler, Gov.

Gavin Newsom, via statement.

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.

, Gov.

Gavin Newsom, via statement.

Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people, Gov.

Gavin Newsom, via statement.

Previously, Newsom said he would fill Feinstein's Senate position with someone who is not currently running for the seat.

However, he is not asking Butler to stay out of the race if she decides she'd like to run.

The deadline to submit paperwork for the Senate race is Dec.

8.

The deadline to submit paperwork for the Senate race is Dec.

8