California Democrat says Butler should stay out of 2024 Senate race

A California Democrat is urging Laphonza Butler — who was named to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) seat Sunday — to keep out of the 2024 Senate race.

“No, I don’t believe she should,” Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said Monday on CNN. “There are three exceptional candidates that have been working more than a year. I just think it’s terribly unfair that she would do so.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced late Sunday that he will appoint Butler, a former adviser to Vice President Harris and president of EMILY’s List, to fill Feinstein’s seat. In his announcement, Newsom noted Butler also would make history as the first Black lesbian to openly serve as a U.S. senator.

Newsom said he would not select anyone currently running for Feinstein’s seat, saying that it would be “completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off.” Several high-profile California Democrats already jumped into the race after Feinstein signaled she would not seek reelection earlier this year including Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.

Garamendi echoed a similar sentiment, saying that it would not be “fair” if Butler decided to jump in the race for 2024.

“But no, I don’t think she should. I think that that’s the three candidates. The two women and the gentlemen are very talented,” he said. “Each and every one is putting together a viable campaign. And you could be air dropped into this is simply not fair. And by the way, I don’t think many people know her.”

Newsom spokesman Anthony York told The Associated Press that the governor did not ask Butler to commit to staying out of the race. Any candidate who wishes to enter the 2024 race must submit the required paperwork by Dec. 8, the AP noted.