WASHINGTON — Laphonza Butler, a Democrat who was appointed this month to fill Dianne Feinstein’s seat, said Thursday that she won’t seek a full Senate term next year.
Butler, the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the chamber, was appointed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom following Feinstein’s death last month at age 90. She was sworn in Oct. 3.
“Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign,” Butler said in a statement.
“I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my clarity — what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward. After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for Senate in the upcoming election.”
Her decision was first reported by The New York Times. Butler, who’s the third Black woman to serve in the Senate, said she’ll finish the remainder of Feinstein’s term, which ends in January 2025, with “every ounce of energy and effort that I have.”
Newsom had said before Feinstein’s death that he planned to make an “interim” appointment if he needed to fill her seat, arguing he did not want to tip the scales toward any of the current Senate candidates for next year’s election. Those already running for the seat include Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.
Newsom later made clear that there were no restrictions on Butler’s appointment, and that she was free to run next year if she wanted.
Butler had led EMILY’s List, a group focused on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights, since 2021.
She said in her statement Thursday that her decision may come as “a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go. It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me.”
Frank Thorp V reported from Washington, and Dareh Gregorian reported from New York.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
