Laphonza Butler
Laphonza Butler | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| United States Senator from California | |
| In office October 1, 2023 – December 8, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Gavin Newsom |
| Preceded by | Dianne Feinstein |
| Succeeded by | Adam Schiff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Laphonza Romanique Butler May 11, 1979 Magnolia, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Neneki Lee |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Jackson State University (BA) |
| Signature | |
Laphonza Romanique Butler (/ləˈfɔːnzə/ lə-FON-zə; born May 11, 1979) is an American labor union official and former politician who served as an interim 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 on October 19, 2023, that she would not run for a full term in the 2024 election. Adam Schiff was elected to succeed her.