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California Governor Appoints Laphonza Butler to Feinstein Senate Seat
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and adviser, to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat previously held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the Senate and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the chamber. Her appointment will give the Democratic caucus more flexibility on close votes.