Newsom’s Senate Diversity Pick May Lead to Awkward Showdown Between Two Black Female Dems
California Governor Sparks Tensions with Senate Appointment
California governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to appoint pro-abortion fundraiser Laphonza Butler to the Senate is already causing tensions among congressional Democrats and could set up a primary clash in the 2024 election.
Newsom on Sunday announced that he tapped Butler, a Maryland resident and the president of pro-abortion fundraising group EMILY’s List, to serve out the late Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, which is up for election in 2024.
Newsom’s choice is causing fractures in the Congressional Black Caucus, which has already endorsed Rep. Barbara Lee to run for the seat in 2024, according to Politico. Both Lee and Butler are black.
“Now the caucus faces a situation where two of its members could be facing off,” Politico reported, “and while folks we spoke to say the caucus will do its damndest not to pit two Black women against each other, tensions are already emerging.”
Those tensions will likely worsen if Butler decides to run for the seat in her own right.
Butler, who reportedly won’t make an announcement on running until after Feinstein’s Thursday memorial, has Newsom’s backing. The governor has said that his Senate pick “would be an ideal candidate for the seat if she chooses to run for it,” Politico reported.
Newsom’s statement is a sharp shift from earlier this year. While the governor said he would only appoint a black woman to the seat, he ruled out appointing Lee to the seat, saying he didn’t want to affect the 2024 primary.
Lee issued a furious response, suggesting last month that Newsom’s decision was racist.
“The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election,” Lee said.
Newsom on Monday attempted to backpedal on his claim of appointing a caretaker, calling it “rearview mirror stuff right now,” Politico reported.
How might the tensions and divisions caused by Newsom’s appointment impact the 2024 election and the Democratic Party
Barbara Lee for the seat. Lee, a long-time African-American congresswoman representing the Oakland area, was seen as the frontrunner for the appointment and has the support of prominent black leaders, including civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis.
Butler’s appointment has sparked criticism from progressives and women’s rights advocates who question her qualifications and believe that Newsom missed an opportunity to appoint a more diverse candidate. They argue that Lee’s long-standing record of advocating for progressive policies and fighting for racial and gender equality make her the ideal choice to represent the diverse state of California in the Senate.
Furthermore, the appointment of a Maryland resident to a California Senate seat has raised eyebrows and fueled accusations of political opportunism. Some critics argue that Newsom’s decision to choose Butler, who has no prior political experience or personal connection to California, is a strategic move to bolster his own political career rather than a genuine effort to represent and serve the people of California.
The tensions and divisions caused by Newsom’s appointment have the potential to create a messy primary battle in the 2024 election. If Butler chooses to run for re-election, she will likely face stiff competition from Barbara Lee and other candidates who feel that their chances of being appointed were unjustly denied. This could result in a divided Democratic base and a weakened position for the party in the general election.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time tensions have arisen over Senate appointments in California. In 2016, then-Governor Jerry Brown appointed Kamala Harris to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barbara Boxer. Harris’s appointment was also met with controversy and backlash, particularly from progressives who felt that other candidates, such as Representative Loretta Sanchez, were more deserving of the position.
Ultimately, Newsom’s decision to appoint Laphonza Butler to the Senate has ignited tensions within the Democratic Party and could have wide-ranging implications for the 2024 election. The primary clash between Butler and Lee, should it come to pass, will not only test the ability of the candidates to rally support but also highlight the ongoing debates within the Democratic Party over representation, diversity, and political opportunism.
As California’s governor, Newsom holds significant power and influence, and his appointments to key positions have far-reaching consequences. It remains to be seen how this particular appointment will play out and what impact it will have on the future of California politics.
One thing is clear though, tensions are high, and the stakes are even higher as the battle for California’s Senate seat continues to intensify.
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