Supermajority’s Jara Butler on Laphonza Butler being appointed to fill seat of late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Washington, D.C. – In response to California Governor Gavin Newsom naming Laphonza Butler interim California senator, Supermajority Chief Impact Officer Jara Butler issued the following statement:

“First, we congratulate Laphonza Butler, who has been both a sister and a supporter of Supermajority since its creation. Laphonza is a visionary who lives the values of servant leadership. As a community organizer, a labor leader, and as head of EMILYs List, the largest women’s organization in the nation, Laphonza has demonstrated her skills and ability to advocate for change across America.

“In our country’s history, we’ve only elected two Black women to the United States Senate. And when she takes office, Laphonza will be only the fourth Black woman to ever serve in the Senate and the lone Black woman currently serving. 

“We applaud Gov. Newsom for honoring his commitment to appoint a Black woman, but we still have a long way to go. We continue to work toward a future in which elected leaders who look like those they serve are the rule, not the exception. When our government truly represents us, the values we hold and the issues we care about are finally front and center.”