Laphonza Butler

Laphonza Butler
Official portrait, 2023
United States Senator
from California
In office
October 1, 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, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNeneki Lee
Children1
EducationJackson State University (BA)
Signature

Laphonza Romanique Butler (/ləˈfɔːnzə/ lə-FON-zə; born May 11, 1979) is an American labor union official and politician who served as a United States senator from California from 2023 to 2024. Butler began her career as a union organizer, and served as president of California SEIU State Council from 2013 to 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, she was a regent of the University of California system from 2018 to 2021, and the president of EMILY's List from 2021 to 2023.

Butler is a longtime ally of Kamala Harris. On October 1, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to fill the United States Senate seat left vacant by the death of Dianne Feinstein, becoming the first openly LGBT African American to serve in the Senate. Soon after taking office, she announced she would not run for a full term in the 2024 election. Adam Schiff was elected to succeed her.[1][2][3]

  1. ^ "California U.S. Senate Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "California U.S. Senate Special Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "California Democrat Adam Schiff wins US Senate seat long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.

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