Feinstein's replacement:
Laphonza Romanique Butler (born 1978/1979)
[1] is an American
Democratic Party political strategist. On October 1, 2023, it was reported that California governor
Gavin Newsom planned to appoint her to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of
Dianne Feinstein.
[2] Early life
Butler was born in
Magnolia, Mississippi, the youngest of three children. Her father died from heart disease when she was 16 years old. She attended
Jackson State University.
[3] Career
Butler began her career as a
union organizer for nurses in
Baltimore and
Milwaukee, janitors in
Philadelphia, and hospital workers in
New Haven, Connecticut. In 2009, she moved to
California, organizing in-home caregivers and nurses, and served as President of
SEIU United Long Term Care Workers, SEIU Local 2015.
[3][4][5]Butler was elected President of the California SEIU State Council in 2013. She undertook efforts to boost California's
minimum wage and raise
income taxes on the wealthiest Californians.
[3] As President of SEIU Local 2015, Butler endorsed
Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.
[6]In 2015, Butler was appointed by Governor
Jerry Brown to a 12-year term as a regent of the
University of California.
[5] She resigned from her role as regent in 2021.
[7]Butler joined SCRB Strategies as a partner in 2018. At SCRB, she played a central role in
Kamala hαɾɾιs'
2020 presidential campaign. Butler was known as a political ally of hαɾɾιs since her first run for
California Attorney General in 2010 when she helped hαɾɾιs negotiate a shared SEIU endorsement in the race.
[3][8]Butler left SCRB in 2020 to join
Airbnb as Director of Public Policy and Campaigns in North America.
[9][4]Butler was named the third president of
EMILY's List in 2021. She was the first Black woman and mother to lead the organization.
[10][3]On October 1, 2023, it was reported by
Politico that Governor
Gavin Newsom will appoint Butler as the next
U.S. Senator of California, taking the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Senator
Dianne Feinstein.
[2] Personal life
Butler is openly lesbian.
[11] Butler and her partner, Neneki Lee, have a daughter. They live in Los Angeles.
[8] References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laphonza_Butler
Topic: BREAKING NEWS: Senator Dianne Feinstein dead at 90 (Read 3292 times)