"California Gov. Newsom selects Laphonza Butler to replace Feinstein in Senate"

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will appoint Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat. Butler will be the first out Black lesbian to join Congress and the sole Black female senator serving in Congress. Newsom had previously pledged to appoint a Black woman to Feinstein's seat. Butler's appointment comes as Democrats hold a narrow Senate majority, and primaries for both the special election and the full six-year term will be held in March 2023.