Newsom names replacement for Feinstein

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint a Black woman and pro-choice activist to serve out the rest of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term.

According to a report Sunday evening in Politico, Mr. Newsom will pick Laphonza Butler, the president of Emily’s List, to fill the late senator’s seat for the remaining 15 months and a bit in her term.

Politico cited “a person familiar with the decision” as its source.

Emily’s List is a fundraising and pressure group that seeks to elect pro-choice Democratic women to public office.

Politico reported that Mr. Newsom decided to make the appointment swiftly — Ms. Feinstein died Friday at age 90 — because the balance of power on Capitol Hill is so close. 

Democrats only hold a 51-49 edge in the Senate and cannot afford to “lose” a seat by its being vacant for a lengthy period.

Even before dying, Ms. Feinstein had said she would not seek another term in the 2024 election.

Several prominent Democratic lawmakers — including Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam B. Schiff and Katie Porter — already have declared that they will seek to succeed Ms. Feinstein.

Ms. Butler had not been among those candidates seeking the seat in deep-blue California.

Politico reported that a formal announcement will come Monday.

According to the report, Mr. Newsom appointed Ms. Butler without any preconditions of whether to seek or not seek a full term next year.

Ms. Butler has been a confidante of Vice President Kamala Harris and was a senior strategist on the Californian’s failed bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

She also has served as director for public policy and campaigns at Airbnb and as a member of the University of California Board of Regents. She also has been a leader with the Service Employees International Union for decades, including as president of the union’s California chapter.

Ms. Butler is a lesbian and would be the first openly LGBT person to represent California in the Senate.