Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler speaks during a political event with reproductive rights groups at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2023.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 1 (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday he had picked Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate vacancy left by Dianne Feinstein, who died on Thursday aged 90.
Butler is a former president of EMILY's List, an organization that works to elect to office Democratic female candidates who are in favor of abortion rights.
The appointment would make her the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate, according to Newsom.
Butler's predecessor Feinstein, who became the longest-serving woman senator ever, advocated gun control and spearheaded the first federal assault weapons ban.
Persons:
Laphonza Butler, Evelyn Hockstein, Gavin Newsom, Dianne Feinstein, Butler, Newsom, Kamala Harris, Laphonza, Butler's, Feinstein, Urvi, Edwina Gibbs
Organizations:
Mayflower, REUTERS, Democratic, U.S . Senate, Thomson
Locations:
Washington , U.S, California, U.S, Bengaluru