Laphonza Butler

American politician and labor union official (born 1979)

Laphonza Romanique Butler (born May 11, 1979) is an American politician. She was the United States senator from California from 2023 to 2024.

Laphonza Butler
Official portrait, 2023
United States Senator
from California
In office
October 3, 2023 – December 8, 2024
Appointed byGavin Newsom
Preceded byDianne Feinstein
Succeeded byAdam Schiff
Personal details
Born
Laphonza Romanique Butler

(1979-05-11) May 11, 1979 (age 45)
Magnolia, Mississippi
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Neneki Lee
Children1
EducationJackson State University
(BA)
Signature
WebsiteSenate website
Butler sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris.

On October 1, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat that was left vacant by the death of Dianne Feinstein. She is the first Black lesbian to serve in the Senate.[1]

Butler did not run for election to the Senate in 2024. Her term in the Senate will end on January 3, 2025.[2]

References

change
  1. "Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein's Senate seat". Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  2. Hubler, Shawn (October 19, 2023). "Laphonza Butler Will Not Run for Senate in 2024". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2023.