Originally published October 2, 2023 4:00 pm PDT
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) appointed a black, lesbian woman to replace late Senator Diane Feinstein over the weekend.
QUICK FACTS:
- California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) named a black, lesbian woman to fill the Senate seat following the passing of Senator Diane Feinstein (D) last week.
- In 2021, Governor Newsom vowed to nominate a black woman to the U.S. Senate should Sen. Feinstein resign.
- Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler, a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, who according to the Democratic governor “will make history.”
- In 2021, Butler reportedly became the first Black woman to become president at Emily’s List, the fundraising group dedicated to electing female candidates and supporters of reproductive rights.
- “As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for — reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence — have never been under greater assault,” he continued. “Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people.”
- Critics of Newsom’s choice said the governor only picked Butler because of her ethnicity and sexual orientation.
- “Pretty incredible you couldn’t even pick a California resident,” Republican politician Matt Whitlock said.
- “EQUITY: Governor @GavinNewsom struggled to find a Black lesbian who was also a California voter to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat so he selected a Black lesbian voter from Maryland named @LaphonzaB instead,” another wrote.
GOV. NEWSOM ON APPOINTING A BLACK, LESBIAN TO FILL FEINSTEIN’S SENATOR SEAT:
“She will make history — becoming the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate,” Newsom claimed. “From her time as President of EMILY’s List to leading the state’s largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values. I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington.”
BACKGROUND:
- In May 2022, the Biden administration celebrated press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for being the first black female and first openly gay person to serve in the position.
- “I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretary,” a statement attributed to Joe Biden said at the time. “Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people. Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.”
- Outgoing press secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement, saying how “grateful” she was to the Biden family for the opportunity and how proud she is of Jean-Pierre.
- Psaki wrote that Jean-Pierre “has decades of experience from her early years working in government and politics in NYC, to her years as an outspoken advocate, to serving as a long-time advisor to @POTUS back when he was the VP.”
- In August 2023, Simon Ateba, an African journalist representing Today News Africa, initiated a legal battle against Jean-Pierre, for the removal of his press badge which he alleged was in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
- Ateba’s litigation, backed by the Center for American Liberty, claimed the defendants deliberately adjusted the prerequisites for obtaining hard pass credentials.
- “Defendants violated Mr. Ateba’s First Amendment rights by changing the criteria for hard pass credentials to intentionally prevent Mr. Ateba from obtaining hard pass access,” the lawsuit said.
