"Newsom's Political Calculations Shake Up California's Senate Race, Questioning Butler's Experience"

California Governor Gavin Newsom's appointment of Laphonza Butler, a Black woman, to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat in the United States Senate is seen as a strategic move to position himself for future political ambitions, potentially including a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. The appointment helps secure Newsom's position with key Democratic constituencies, such as African Americans, women, and unions, and may also serve to counter any potential challenge from Vice President Kamala Harris. Butler's appointment could have implications for the 2024 California Senate primary, as she joins other prominent candidates in the race.