Laphonza Butler became California‘s newest U.S. Senator on Tuesday, succeeding the late Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Vice President Kamala Harris, herself a former senator from California, administered the oath of office on the Senate floor. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) stood behind Butler as she was sworn into the Senate.
“Do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you am about to enter? So help you God,” Harris said.
Butler, who was raising her right hand, said, “I will.”
People in the chamber applauded and cheered as Harris said, “Congratulations” and shook hands with Butler.
Laphonza Butler sworn in as U.S. Senator, succeeding the late Dianne Feinstein pic.twitter.com/iuETj68lqF
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 3, 2023
As noted by CSPAN producer Craig Caplan, Butler also signed the oath book.
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom selected Butler, president of the pro-abortion group EMILY’s List, after Feinstein died at the age of 90 last week. Butler is set to serve out the remainder of Feinstein’s term through 2024.
The governor had been under pressure to appoint a black woman to the role after pledging in 2021 that he would pick one to take the seat if Feinstein had retired early.
In announcing the replacement pick, Newsom’s office touted how Butler was a longtime senior adviser to Harris and, among other things, would be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate and the first black lesbian to openly serve in Congress.
Some pointed out records showing Butler lived in Maryland, but a spokesperson for Newsom said Butler was a longtime California resident, had moved to the D.C. area when she became president of Emily’s List, and had already re-registered to vote in California.
Meanwhile, as Feinstein had said months ago she would not seek re-election next year, a 2024 Senate race continues. Three House Democrats — Rep. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, and Katie Porter — are campaigning for the seat. Though Newsom indicated there would be no restriction against her joining the race, Butler told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that she has “no idea” if she will campaign for a full term.