California Gov. Newsom names former Kamala Harris adviser Laphonza Butler to Feinstein's Senate seat

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to finish the term of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate, making the former Kamala Harris adviser the first black lesbian to ever openly serve in Congress. 

Butler, who worked as a senior adviser on Harris' 2020 presidential campaign, is expected to step down from her position as president of EMILY's List, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women across the United States, Newsom said when announcing her appointment on Sunday.

Newsom appointed Butler to finish Feinstein's term, which runs until 2024, after the senator passed away on Friday at the age of 90.

"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," Newsom also said. "Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C."

Multiple Democrats announced their intentions to run for Feinstein's seat before her passing, including Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.

Butler currently resides in Maryland, though a spokesperson for Newsom has noted she currently owns a home in California. She is further expected to re-register to vote in the state, the Maryland Daily Record reported.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.