California governor to name Laphonza Butler, former Kamala Harris adviser, to Feinstein Senate seat

California Governor Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Kamala Harris, to fill the vacant US Senate seat previously held by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Newsom had promised to appoint a Black woman if the seat became available, but faced pressure to choose Rep. Barbara Lee. Butler, who leads Emily’s List, a political organization supporting Democratic women candidates, has a background in California politics but has never held elected office.