California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will appoint EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the remaining term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein who passed away last week.
Newsom displays a key political skill: dodging a bullet;
getting a job done while doing so is the difference that a real difference makes.
Good choice. A stick in the eye of both Trump and MAGA members of the Senate. How will Ron Johnson feel about eating lunch with a black gay woman?
This looks to me like a really smart pick, maximizes benefit and minimizes the number of people who will be completely pissed off at him. Newsom is opting out of the whole primary fight, which had nothing but downside if he got involved. Butler not only ticks the obvious demographic boxes, but is also front and center in the Democratic exploitation of voter anger post-Dobbs, first open LGBTQ CA Senator, and she’s got union chops, too.
And the fact that she’s closely aligned with VP Harris is going to cause some delightful squawking and flapping among the anti-Kamala crowd. 
This morning, I am feeling pretty good about my governor.
I understand Meghan Markle has contacted the governor’s office seeking an explanation.
Perfect! He fulfills his promise, elevates Emily’s list and doesn’t play favorites in the race for Feinstein’s seat. I love it!
I read that Newsom didn’t want to give a leg-up to the three already running for the seat. She can also run next year if she wants to. That will open up a new dynamic.
Newsom did very well here.
You could probably go to, oh, The Daily Mail for more “information.”
And it doesn’t take anyone out of a badly-needed House seat, which by necessity would remain vacant for some time to come. All around…a good decision.
Remember when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich completely and totally botched this in the worst possible way?
My only concern is adding another Dem to the jungle primary increases the chances of a Republican making it into the top 2.
From today’s WaPo:
Newsom noted that Butler will make history as the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate. “Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people,” he said.
“From her time as President of EMILY’s List to leading the state’s largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values,”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/01/dianne-feinstein-replacement-senate/
I am really looking forward to seeing this woman shake some things up in the Empty Chamber. Great choice. May she govern in power, and I hope she eventually finds a good place in Federal Government. We need more people like her.
Interesting choice.
Fairly savvy choice.
Great point!
Solid choice.
Emily’s list connection is a nice touch.
Have they endorsed a CA Senate candidate yet? 
that, plus the SEIU connection… it’s a pretty brilliant choice.
How dismissive. How utterly sickening that your first impulse is that she’s only there to piss off a bunch of reactionary fascist dickheads. ANY Democrat would piss them off. How about you focus on her accomplishments and the lifetime of work it took to get where she is, rather than see her as a convenient tool for your personal animus?
I guessing that Newsom was way ahead of all of you on this one, maybe one reason he’s a governor and none of the bloviators on this site are.
I’m with @thunderclapnewman; I don’t know how you can write with the size of that chip on your shoulder.