California Gov. Gavin Newsom selects replacement for Sen. Dianne Feinstein

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler to finish the term of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate.

Butler, served as a former adviser to now Vice President Kamala Harris will be the first known Black lesbian to serve in Congress.

She previously worked as a senior adviser on Harris' 2020 presidential campaign, and is now expected to leave her role as president of The EMILY’s List president, a group committed to electing Democratic pro-choice women throughout the nation.

The California governor, whom many suspect may make a presidential run in 2024, highlighted both Butler’s credentials and Feinstein’s achievements when announcing the new appointment Sunday evening.

Butler is slated to finish Feinstein's term, which runs until January 2025.

The longtime California senator was holding on to her seat to help avoid an interim replacement before the election, but she passed away on Friday at the age of 90.

“As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for, reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence, have never been under greater assault,” Newsom said.

“Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.”

Several Democrats declared their intentions to run for Feinstein's seat before her passing, including Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.