Major Announcement Rocks Key Senate Race: ‘Surprise To Many’

In a series of tweets, Laphonza Butler (D-CA), the recently appointed junior Senator for California, made the surprising announcement that she will not be running for a full term in the US Senate. Butler expressed that while she believes she could win a campaign, it doesn’t necessarily mean she should run one.

California Governor Gavin Newsom had previously pledged to appoint a Black woman to fill the seat of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein.

“I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity – what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward,” Butler wrote. “After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for a full term in the US Senate.”

“Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go. It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me. California voters want leaders who think about them and the issues they care most about.”

do with the responsibility and power they have.
I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity – what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward.

— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 19, 2023

It may not be the decision people expected but it's the right one for me.

California voters want leaders who think about them and the issues they care most about. I now have 383 days to serve the people of California with every ounce of energy and effort that I have.

— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 19, 2023

She finished, “I now have 383 days to serve the people of California with every ounce of energy and effort that I have. Muhammad Ali once said, ‘Don’t count the days, make the days count.’ I intend to do just that.”

Butler was president of EMILY’S List, a Democrat super PAC, and a former advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris. However, her appointment was not without controversy. It was soon revealed that Butler was registered to vote in Maryland, leading to swift action on her part to change her registration to California.

Since Governor Newsom’s pledge in March of 2021, there has been significant pressure from political groups for him to appoint a Black woman to the Senate seat. Many individuals declined the offer, and Newsom faced criticism for not appointing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Lee later criticized Newsom for using a Black woman as a “caretaker” for the Senate seat, calling it an insult to Black women who have consistently supported the Democratic Party.

The passing of Senator Feinstein, who had faced health challenges and had several notable incidents on the Senate floor, provided Governor Newsom with another chance to remain in the spotlight. While he has been actively supporting President Joe Biden and critiquing the GOP presidential candidates, Newsom has confirmed he will not be running for president, urging Democrats to rally behind Biden… for now.