Laphonza Butler sworn in as California’s newest U.S. senator

WASHINGTON — Laphonza Butler is California’s newest senator, following a historic swearing-in ceremony with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday afternoon in the U.S. Capitol.

Flanked by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., Butler raised her right hand to take the oath of office.

The Senate chamber erupted in applause as Butler signed her name. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., shook Butler’s hand as she walked off the Senate floor.

“I can’t help but think how proud Sen. (Dianne) Feinstein would be, seeing someone as brilliant, as accomplished, as history-making as Laphonza Butler take her place,” Schumer said.

President Joe Biden called Butler on Tuesday afternoon to congratulate her, White House officials said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom picked Butler on Sunday to replace the late Sen. Feinstein, fulfilling his promise to name a Black woman to the Senate. The appointment ensures Democrats keep their one-seat majority in the upper chamber.

Butler, 44, has never served as a public official but has worked behind the scenes for Democrats and their causes for decades.

She worked for Service Employees International Union Local 2015 for more than a decade, and, in 2018, was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown as a University of California regent. She left the role in 2021, the same year she became president of Emily’s List, a political action committee that helps elect Democratic women who support abortion rights.

Butler also was an adviser to Harris’ 2020 presidential bid and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 bid for the White House. She also recently served as Airbnb’s public policy and campaigns director.

She becomes the first Black woman in the chamber since Harris left to become vice president in 2021. Newsom appointed California’s then-Secretary of State Padilla to fill Harris’ seat, and vowed his next Senate appointment would be a Black woman.

Butler is the nation’s 12th Black senator and its third Black woman senator. She also is the first out gay person of color to serve in the Senate and the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.

Some Californians wanted Newsom to pick a different Black woman for the role.

After Feinstein’s death, advocates and lawmakers pressed the governor to name Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., as the state’s next senator.

The Oakland congresswoman is the only prominent Black woman running in the 2024 race for Feinstein’s former seat. September polling indicates Lee is trailing two white fellow Democrats in the race: Reps. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank and Katie Porter of Irvine.

Newsom last month sidestepped pressure to name Lee, saying the role would be temporary. “It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off,” he said in September. “That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that.”

Shortly before the Sunday announcement, however, Newsom clarified his stipulation, saying the new senator could be a candidate, fueling speculation Butler might throw her hat into the ring to remain in the seat.

Butler told the Los Angeles Times on Monday she is undecided on joining the hotly contested Senate race.

“I have no idea. I genuinely don’t know,” Butler said in her first interview since her appointment. “I want to be focused on honoring the legacy of Sen. Feinstein. I want to devote my time and energy to serving the people of California. And I want to carry her baton with the honor that it deserves, and so I genuinely have no idea.”

When asked Tuesday by reporters about a potential Butler run, Lee replied, “That’s her decision.”

In a tweet, Lee said she wishes Butler well and she looks “forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State.”

“I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate,” Lee wrote. “CA deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. That’s exactly what I’m running to do.”

Immediately after being sworn in as senator, Butler took another oath: joining the Congressional Black Caucus. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., the caucus chairman, administered the oath while Lee, who is running for Butler’s seat in next year’s election, stood by, smiling.