Kamala Harris Swears In, Laphonza Butler, 3rd Black Woman To Serve In The U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 3: Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) is sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on October 3, 2023. Butler was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the vacant Senate seat of California following the passing of Dianne Feinstein.

[Updated on 10/03/2023 at 5:00 pm E.T.]

Vice President Kamala Harris swore in former Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler on Tuesday in a touching moment for the two Black women and political allies. Senator Butler is only the third Black woman to serve in the US Senate, and her appointment fills the vacancy left behind by Vice President Harris, whose ascendancy to the White House meant there were no Black women in the Senate.

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Butler will be the first openly LGBT person to represent California in the Senate and the only Black woman to serve in the Senate since Kamala Harris. But who is the Golden State’s newest Senator, and how did she get there?

It’s worth noting that this Jackson State University graduate, is a familiar face in the political arena. Butler is the first woman of color, mother, and HBCU graduate to run Emily’s List, a powerful political action group dedicated to electing Democratic women.

She also happens to have the ear of the last Black woman to serve in the Senate. She served as Senior Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris during her run for the Presidency.

Unlike most of Congress, Butler got her start in labor organizing. At just 30 years old, she became the youngest President of California SEUI Local 2015, the largest labor union in California. Under her tenure at SEIU, the group pushed for significant legislative changes, including a $15 minimum wage — which the state recently adopted.

How Did We Get Here?

Newsom’s decision to appoint Butler didn’t come completely out of left-field. After Vice President Harris left her seat, Governor Newsom vowed to appoint a Black woman to serve in the Senate if Feinstein did not complete her term.

However, the appointment was not without some underlying controversy. Some critics have noted that Butler represented Uber in their 2019 labor dispute, calling into question her pro-labor bonafides. And last month, Newsom majorly stepped in it, when he said that he would only appoint a Black woman as a caretaker for the role. Black lawmakers, including Congressional Black Caucus Chair Stephen Horsford (D-NV), urged Newsom to appoint Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), who is currently running in the 2024 Senate primary race.

However, the controversy with Newsom did not stop Rep. Lee from congratulating the soon to be new Senator. “I wish Laphonza well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the people of the Golden State,” Lee said in a statement with The Root.

What Happens Next?

Butler will serve in the Senate until January 2025. At that point, it’s anyone’s guess what happens next. Butler could potentially join the crowded field of Senate hopefuls, including Rep. Lee and Representatives Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. However, as of now, she’s made no indication that she plans to enter the political fray.

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