California Sen. Laphonza Butler opts out of re-election bid

California Senator Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, has announced that she will not seek a full Senate term in the upcoming election. This decision avoids a potential contest among three high-profile Democrats. Governor Gavin Newsom, who appointed Butler, had previously indicated that the appointee would be an interim pick and later insisted that he would not pressure Butler to stay out of the race.