Maryland resident Laphonza Butler to be appointed as California senator

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will appoint Laphonza Butler, the President of EMILY’s List, to complete the United States Senate term of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, which runs through 2024. Butler is a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the labor movement and previously was an advisor to Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. She will 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. Butler is registered to vote in Maryland but will switch her registration to California.

Butler is expected to be sworn-in to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris. Newsom’s selection of Butler comes at a moment of immense change in California’s political establishment, with millions of people still mourning the death of Feinstein, the barrier-breaking Senate lioness. Meanwhile, the California governor, who was mentored by Feinstein, has been grappling with his own personal grief and the political ramifications of his choice to succeed her.

The appointment of Butler has raised eyebrows after it emerged that she is a resident of Maryland. Critics have questioned whether Butler meets the residency requirements to serve in the Senate, which stipulate that a senator must be a resident of the state they represent. However, the law is that they must reside in the state upon assuming office, according to Rick Hasen, an election law expert at the UCLA School of Law.

Key facts:

• Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will appoint Laphonza Butler, the President of EMILY’s List, to complete the United States Senate term of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, which runs through 2024.
• Butler is a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the labor movement and previously was an advisor to Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
• Butler will 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.
• Butler is registered to vote in Maryland but will switch her registration to California.
• Critics have questioned whether Butler meets the residency requirements to serve in the Senate, which stipulate that a senator must be a resident of the state they represent.