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    Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024
    • October 19, 2023

    By MICHAEL R. BLOOD | AP Political Writer

    LOS ANGELES — Newly appointed California Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024, avoiding what would have been a costly and competitive race for the seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein.

    Butler — who was named earlier this month by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to complete Feinstein’s remaining term — said in a statement she made the decision after considering “what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward.”

    “Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go,” Butler added. “It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me.”

    Her candidacy would have complicated an already crowded race that includes several other prominent Democrats — U.S. Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee — and Republican Steve Garvey, a former baseball MVP.

    Butler, a Democratic insider and former labor leader, had never held public office before joining the Senate.

    FILE – Vice President Kamala Harris, right, swears in Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, to the Senate to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein during a re-enactment of the swearing-in ceremony, Oct. 3, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Butler’s wife, Neneki Lee, center, holds the Bible. Butler made history as the first Black and openly lesbian senator in Congress, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

    FILE – Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., smiles during a re-enactment of her swearing-in ceremony to the Senate to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Oct. 3, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Butler made history as the first Black and openly lesbian senator in Congress, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

    Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is joined by Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif. left, and Rep. Barbara Lee D-Calif., center, while posing for photos after a U.S. Senate Candidate Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. The crowded, wide-open race to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has hit a suspenseful turn as candidates wait for newly appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler to decide if she will enter the 2024 race for the seat after being picked to complete the remainder of Feinstein’s term. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., shakes hands with Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., as Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., left, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., rear right, look on during a news conference about the legacy of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington. Sen. Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to fills Feinstein’s seat in the Senate. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

    Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, reacts after being sworn into the Congressional Black Caucus by Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., right, in front of a statue of Rosa Parks in the Hall of Statuary on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

    Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, is sworn into the Congressional Black Caucus by Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., right, in front of a statue of Rosa Parks in the Hall of Statuary on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

    From left, Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., her wife Neneki Lee and Vice President Kamala Harris stand for photographers during a re-enactment of the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meets with Laphonza Butler and her family before she is sworn in to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meets with Laphonza Butler before she is sworn in to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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