Laphonza Butler is a Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from California from October 2023 to December 2024, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to complete the term of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. She is California's first openly LGBTQ U.S. Senator and the first Black lesbian to serve in Congress, as well as the third Black woman to serve in the Senate. Born in 1979 in Magnolia, Mississippi, to a working-class family, Butler lost her father to a terminal illness at age 16. A prominent labor leader, abortion rights advocate, and Democratic activist, she advised Vice President Kamala Harris's campaigns and Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid. Notable achievements include leading efforts for pay equity for women, raising California's minimum wage to $15 per hour , and recognition as a “Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama. She has held positions on the University of California Board of Regents , the Los Angeles Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Council on Foreign Relations, and boards for the National Children’s Defense Fund and Bay Area Economic Council Institute.

Education

Butler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Jackson State University, a historically Black university, where her professors inspired her activism and commitment to social justice.

Political Experience

• Began career as a labor organizer in cities including Baltimore, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New Haven, later moving to California in 2009 to organize caregivers and in-home nurses.
• Served seven years as president of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers and as division director for SEIU’s Property Services Division, overseeing 250,000+ workers.
• Elected at age 30 as president of SEIU Local 2015 , California’s largest union and the nation’s largest long-term care local, representing 325,000+ nursing home and home-care workers; also SEIU International Vice President and president of SEIU California State Council.
• Director of Public Policy and Campaigns at Airbnb and partner at SCRB Strategies .
• President of EMILY’s List , leading Democratic efforts to elect pro-choice women.
• U.S. Senator from California , sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris; resided in Maryland at time of appointment.