#Laphonza

[top10withme]

Laphonza Butler: California Gov. Newsom appoints Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein's Senate seat

CNN — California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY’s List, to fill the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, his office confirmed Sunday evening. Butler will become the first out Black lesbian to join Congress, according to Newsom. She will also be the sole Black female senator serving in Congress and only the third in US history. Feinstein, the longest-serving female US senator in history, died last week at 90. “I am honored to accept Gov. Newsom’s nomination to be a U.S. Senator for a state I have long called home,” Butler said in a statement Monday, adding that she is “humbled by the Governor’s trust.” “For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, I’m ready to serve,” she said. The selection of Butler, first reported by Politicocomes as Democrats hold a narrow Senate majority and uncertainty looms over New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s political future amid outcry from his Democratic colleagues over his federal indictment. Butler has been the president of EMILY’s List, which works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, since the group’s board of directors appointed her in 2021, when she became the first woman of color to lead the organization. She previously worked at Airbnb as a director of public policy and campaigns and has a long history working in California politics, including as an adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign. But much of her background is in the labor movement, serving as a union president in California. Several high-profile Democratic candidates launched campaigns earlier this year to succeed Feinstein, who announced in February that she would not run for reelection. They include a trio of House Democrats: Reps. Adam Schiff, a former House Intelligence chairman who is backed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Katie Porter, a former deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; and Barbara Lee, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and a member of House Democratic leadership. Also in the race are Democrat Lexi Reese, a tech executive, and Republican lawyer Eric Early, who ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 2022.

A look back on Sen. Dianne Feinstein's legacy Newsom previously pledged to appoint a Black woman to Feinstein’s seat should the senator resign before her term’s end. Many had urged Newsom to appoint Lee, a longtime representative from Oakland and the only Black woman running for the seat, including the Congressional Black Caucuswhich sent a letter to Newsom asking him to choose Lee just hours before his announcement. But the governor said last month that he would not appoint any of the candidates currently seeking the office, though Newsom’s office said Monday that there were no conditions placed on Butler and that any decision to run for a full term would be her own. Butler moved to Maryland in 2021 around the time she was chosen to lead EMILY’s List, public records show. She was registered to vote in Maryland in 2022, according to public records, but Newsom’s office said Monday, in response to questions about Butler’s residency, that she has re-registered to vote in California. “As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for – reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence – have never been under greater assault. Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people,” Newsom said in a statement on X. This is Newsom’s second Senate appointment. After the 2020 election, the governor appointed Alex Padilla, then California’s secretary of state, to succeed Kamala Harris following her election to the vice presidency. Padilla became the first Latino senator from California, but Newsom was criticized for not choosing a Black woman, leaving the chamber without a Black female senator. He later appointed Shirley Weber, a Black woman, to succeed Padilla as secretary of state. Padilla said in a statement he was “honored to welcome” Butler to the Senate and said she “has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ rights, and a champion for increasing women’s representation in politics.” California will hold two Senate elections next November: a special election for the remaining months of Feinstein’s term until January 2025 and another for a full six-year term. Lee, who is running for Feinstein’s seat in next year’s election, said she is “singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate,” in a post on X. Primaries for both races will be held in March, and, under the California system, all candidates will run on the same ballot, with the top two, regardless of party, advancing to the general election. California also held two Senate elections for the same seat in 2022, following Padilla’s appointment. He won both races by similar margins. This story has been updated with additional information. Source link Read the full article

[liberalsarecool]

What a day! Congratulations, Laphonza Butler!

[truth-has-a-liberal-bias]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the governor's office confirmed to NBC News.

She will be the third Black woman to ever serve in the Senate. Politico first reported Newsom's choice of Butler.

Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, died Thursday at age 90. [...]

[blackqueernotables]

Laphonza Butler: first known Black lesbian appointed to Congress. Currently the only Black woman serving in the Senate, and the third ever to serve in the chamber.

[luulapants]

Where California politicians stand on Palestine

The majority of Democrats in DC, despite their voter base being overwhelmingly in support of a ceasefire, refuse to disavow the genocide in Gaza or call for ceasefire.

They are able to do this, to disregard the outrage of their constituency, because they feel certain that no matter how many letters we send, we will show up and vote for them when the time comes. They are certain their actions have no consequences.

Senator Alex Padilla received about $31k from Israeli lobby groups. He refuses to call for a ceasefire. This was his going rate to enable genocide.

Senator Laphonza Butler was appointed in Oct 2023 after the death of Diane Feinstein, who was pro-Israel. No campaign finance info on file. She refuses to call for a ceasefire. Perhaps she's waiting for her payout.

12/52 California congressional representatives are Republicans. None have called for ceasefire. Palestinian genocide is core to the Republican platform.

Of the 40 Democrat representatives, only 11 have called for ceasefire. The following CA Democrat representatives have called for ceasefire. They were not swayed by money received from Israeli lobby groups.

Jared Huffman, 2 - not swayed by $1k from Israeli lobby groups this election cycle, down from 13.5k and 9.5k in the last two

John Garamendi, 8 - not swayed by $500 whole dollars from Israeli lobby groups, down from 5k and 15k

Mark Desaulnier, 10 - not swayed by $1k, down from 4k and 4.5k

Barbara Lee, 12 - not swayed by $13.5k, down from 27k and just 4k in 2020

Ro Khanna, 17 - not swayed by $12k, down from 45.5k and 23k

Judy Chu, 28 - not swayed by $1k, down from 7k and 10.5k

Tony Cardenas, 29 - not swayed by 35k, down from 70k and 38.5k

Jimmy Gomez, 34 - received nothing this cycle or 2020, not swayed by the $13.5k Israeli lobby groups gave in 2022

Robert Garcia, 42 - has received nothing from Israeli lobby groups since taking office in 2023

Maxine Waters, 43 - has received nothing from Israeli lobby groups in the past 3 election cycles

Sara Jacobs, 51 - not swayed by $9k, down from $26.5k in her first election cycle

The following CA Democrat representatives have refused to call for ceasefire. The approximate amount they've received from Israeli lobby groups since 2019 (the price it cost to buy their endorsement of genocide) is after each name and district number.

Mike Thompson, 4 (24k); Ami Bera, 6 (46.5k); Doris Matsui, 7 (9k); Josh Harder, 9 (159k); Nancy Pelosi, 11 (92.5k); Eric Swalwell, 14 (54.5k); Kevin Mullin, 15 (0 - 19-22 data missing); Anna Eshoo, 16 (34.5k); Zoe Lofgren, 18 (22k); Jimmy Panetta, 19 (14k); Jim Costa, 21 (127k); Salud Carbajal, 24 (27k); Raul Ruiz, 25 (24.5k); Julia Brownley, 26 (47.5k); Adam Schiff, 30 (205.5k); Grace Napolitano, 31 (8k); Brad Sherman, 32 (132k); Pete Aguilar, 33 (315.5k); Norma Torres, 35 (14.5k); Ted Lieu, 36 (122k); Sydney Kamlager, 37 (15.5k - 22 data missing); Linda Sanchez, 38 (36.5k); Mark Takano, 39 (17k); Nanette Barragan, 44 (69.5k); Lou Carrera, 46 (12.5k); Katie Porter, 47 (152.5k); Mike Levin, 49 (143k); Scott Peters, 50 (34k); Juan Vargas, 52; (208.5k)

The Republicans will be trash regardless, but we cannot let our Democrats skate by thinking there are no consequences for supporting a genocide. They are slaughtering people with your tax dollars, Americans. It's time to get serious. It's time to tell these people that they cannot have our votes for free. It's time to start talking about primary opposition and third party voting. It's time to start exercising our power as voting citizens.

[sassysophiabush]

[tomorrowusa]

The US Senate will be getting its first black female LGBTQ+ member. Laphonza Butler will replace veteran California Sen. Dianne Feinstein who died last week.

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the selection of Laphonza Butler — the President of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to electing women, EMILY’s List — to complete the United States Senate term of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, which runs through 2024. Butler, a longtime senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, labor leader, and advocate for women and working people, will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate. She will also be the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress in American history and the second Black woman to represent California in the Senate following Vice President Kamala Harris. “An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she’ll represent us proudly in the United States Senate,” said Governor Newsom. “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. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.”

Gov. Newsom sends a timely message by choosing someone who is the leader of an organization promoting reproductive freedom and who was once head of California's largest union. Workers rights and reproductive freedom are major parts of Democrats' message in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections.

[xipiti]

Longtime Democratic advisor and labor leader Laphonza Butler will be California’s next U.S. Senator, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed late Sunday. She will become the second openly lesbian person to serve in the U.S. Senate and only the third Black woman.

Butler, currently president of the pro-choice women’s fundraising group EMILY’S List, will fill the seat left empty by Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death Thursday at the age of 90. She has advised Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and has close ties to Newsom’s inner circle.

“An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she’ll represent us proudly in the United States Senate,” Newsom said in a written statement.

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

[sillycyan]

"At the end of the day I farted-" by US senator Thom Tillis

[benjisbytes]

Who will take Dianne Feinstein's old Senate seat?

President George Bush with California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Dianne Feinstein. By Jim Greenhill. CC2.0.

A new Politico/Morning Consult poll puts that answer as Rep. Adam Schiff (D).

He is trailed most closely by Reps Katie Porter, Barbara Lee and Steve Garvey.

They are all running to replace the interim Sen. Laphonza Butler, who California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed after Feinstein's sudden but not unexpected passing in September.

Whilst these results do include lean voters, it gives a clear indication of who the far-and-away frontunner is at this stage in the race.

Results of a POLITICO | Morning Consult poll among likely voters in California's March 5 primary:

Adam Schiff (D) 28%

Steve Garvey (R) 19%

Katie Porter (D) 17%

Barbara Lee (D) 14%

Eric Early (R) 7%

James Bradley (R) 7%

Christina Pascucci (D) 4%

Denice Gary-Pandol (R) 1%

Others 3%

Note: Results include undecided voters leaning toward a candidate. Source: POLITICO | Morning Consult poll conducted Dec. 15-19, surveying 858 likely voters online. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points. Steve Shepard/POLITICO.

[blackqueernotables]

Laphonza Butler 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[peripateticavian]

Gov. Gavin Newsom chooses Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat