Laphonza Butler will be the “first black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate,” California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom touted on Monday after nominating Butler to fill the Senate seat that Dianne Feinstein vacated upon her death Friday.
“I’m proud to announce California’s new United States Senator — Laphonza Butler. 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,” Newsom said in a post on X. “Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people.” She will make history — becoming the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate.”
I'm proud to announce California's new United States Senator — Laphonza Butler.
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.… pic.twitter.com/SOnbfVPmXj
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 2, 2023
Butler has been the president of pro-abortion EMILYs List since 2021, a group that bankrolls the campaigns of pro-abortion, female, Democrat politicians. In June, EMILYs List announced it would be dumping more than ten million dollars to prop up Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. The group, under Butler’s leadership and along with other pro-abortion groups, has also allegedly advised Harris on how to “amplify her role as the White House’s leading warrior” against Republican-led laws protecting unborn babies from abortion, Axios reported.
Newsom himself is rabidly pro-abortion — so much so that his reelection campaign put up billboards in pro-life states justifying abortion by incorrectly using the words of Jesus from the New Testament of the Bible. The appointment of Butler, 44, fulfills his 2021 pledge to replace Feinstein with a black woman, “a promise the governor made under pressure from progressives,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“From her time as President of EMILYs 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,” Newsom continued. “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.”
Indeed, Butler has openly talked and posted about being a lesbian. As the San Fransisco Chronicle reported, Butler is married to partner Neneki Lee, with whom she shares an eight-year-old daughter, Nylah. After someone leaked the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in May 2022, Butler notably penned an “open letter” to her daughter about how “our fundamental rights are being ripped away”:
Happy 🌈 Pride Month! I am honored to have the distinction of being the first Black lesbian woman to serve as president of EMILY’s List. I am committed to supporting our LGBTQ+ trailblazers run for office and their work to achieve justice and equality for all. pic.twitter.com/EqtHl4hjlc
— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) June 1, 2022
Butler has a long social media history of calling pro-life activists and Republicans “extremists” for wanting to protect babies in the womb. She has also claimed that “abortion bans are racist.”
I remember where I was that night when the Dobbs draft decision was leaked at about 9pm a year ago.
Ever since then, we've been organizing, & we are in the fight to vote out every MAGA extremist and replace them all with a Democratic pro-choice woman. https://t.co/mrR2SzpUHe
— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) May 2, 2023
Butler is also an outspoken supporter of the transgender activist agenda and has claimed Republicans are “attacking trans-youth” by passing laws that protect them from cross-sex hormones and sex-mutilating surgeries:
For my daughter, and all of America’s daughters, we must take this fight on with all that we have. The same Reps who stacked SCOTUS to roll back Roe, abandoned voting rights in the country, passed laws attacking gay and trans communities. Right👏🏾 Now👏🏾we must fight👏🏾.
— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) May 3, 2022
We celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with them – recognizing that with the joy comes the knowledge that there is still much work to do. pic.twitter.com/1lcL2iUhVy
— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) March 31, 2023
We are proud to have supported many groundbreaking trans women in office now, and believe that with the number of transgender elected officials increasing across the country, their bravery and leadership will continue to create safer spaces for future generations.
— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) November 20, 2022
Axios highlighted that the Federal Election Commission records show Butler lives in Maryland; however, a spokesperson for Newsom said she is a “longtime California resident and homeowner.” Newsom’s office said Butler will reregister as a California voter before being sworn in.
Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her on X @thekat_hamilton.
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