Elgin Nelson
Laphonza Butler, appointed by Gov. Newsom to complete the term of Dianne Feinstein, who passed away last month, won’t run for office next year. Butler became the third Black woman and the first openly Black LGBTQ person to serve in the Senate. Her decision opens the door for multiple candidates vying for a coveted seat to represent California in the Senate. The other three contenders for Senator are Congressmembers Katie Porter (D-CA-47), Adam Schiff (D-CA-30), and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12).
Lee, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and current representative of California’s 12th Congressional District, said in a statement, “Senator Butler took on the enormous responsibility of filling an open senate seat with grace, integrity, and a deep commitment to delivering for the people of California—I look forward to continuing our work together for the remainder of her term.”
Butler addressed her decision not to run as something people may not expect—“I’ve always believed elected leaders should have real clarity about why they’re in office and what they want to do with the responsibility and power they have,” Butler said in a statement. Quoting Muhammad Ali, Butler added, “Don’t count the days. Make the days count. I intend to do just that.”
Butler’s decision also came after she mulled over the dangers that may arise after her appointment. Since then, she has witnessed harassment in-person and online with hate mail and a stranger showing up at her front door. In a statement, Butler felt concerned for her family by saying, “The divisive nature that’s happening online and in real life—my mother is 70 years old— she didn’t sign up for this. I have a nine-year-old daughter—she didn’t sign up for this.”
A’shanti Gholar, a close friend of Butler, told the San Francisco Chronicle that she admired Laphonza’s decision— “being so clear about asking, ‘Is this the right moment in time for me to be impactful to use my voice?’ That was just so Laphonza right there.” Gholar added, “Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign.”
Butler expressed her strong support and dedication for the Black Press during a 30-minute Zoom call last week, pledging to offer advertising and other opportunities for Black-owned newspapers and media companies. “The existence of your outlets is the lifeline to our community. I appreciate the work you do tirelessly,” Butler said.
Butler, before her appointment, served as the president of EMILY’s List, which works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. She also helped raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour when she worked for the Service Employees International Union.