Laphonza Butler will fill the Senate seat of Dianne Feinstein following her death in late September 2023. Butler released a statement saying she felt humbled by the appointment. “Senator Dianne Feinstein’s leadership and legacy are immeasurable,” Butler stated. “I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.”
Laphonza Butler is openly gay; she is married to Neneki Lee
Laphonza Butler is openly gay. She and her wife, Neneki Lee, share one daughter, Nylah. Butler and Lee met through Lee’s work for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a labor union representing millions of workers in Canada, the USA, and Puerto Rico.
Butler will become the first openly gay senator from California. Her appointment has drawn plaudits from several organizations, including the Congressional Black Caucus, which released the following statement:
“As the first lesbian Black woman in the U.S. Senate, Laphonza will bring an important perspective to the upper house at a time when the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community are under attack. We look forward to welcoming Laphonza as the 59th member of the CBC and to continuing our work on behalf of the American people.”
