Kamlager-Dove Statement on Appointment of Laphonza Butler to Vacant California Senate Seat

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat vacancy left by Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“I join in congratulating my good friend, mentor, and sister Laphonza Butler on her appointment to the U.S. Senate. She is a terrific choice for California. From advocating for social and economic justice as President of the California SEIU State Council to playing a powerful role in championing the women’s rights agenda as President of Emily’s List, her wealth of experience will make her a valuable voice for Democrats in the Senate and a tremendous advocate for Californians.

“Representation matters. Senator-designate Laphonza Butler will be the first LGBTQ+ person of color, first LGBTQ+ person from California, and the sole Black female Senator currently in Congress. At a time when Black women, Black history, and Black people are targeted by extremists seeking to erase and silence us, her very existence in the Senate will be a statement that affirms how Black women are not going anywhere.

“With a razor-thin majority in the Senate and democracy constantly under threat by right-wing Republicans, we need someone like Senator-designate Butler to hit the ground running in a Democratic majority and fight for policies important to Californians. I look forward to working with her in the future as a Member of the California Delegation, and I welcome her whole-heartedly to Congress.”

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