California Governor Gavin Newson has appointed Laphonza Butler, 44, an abortion rights activist, to replace Dianne Feinstein, the state’s longest-serving female senator, who died last week.
Feinstein, widely recognised as the first female politician in the United States, died at the age of 90.
According to the BBC, Newson appointed Butler, a strategist who runs an organisation dedicated to electing Democratic women who support abortion rights, to fill her vacancy.
Butler will be the only black female in the Senate, and the first LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.
Under Californian law, the governor can appoint a senator until the next statewide election.
Butler is the first black woman to lead EMILY’s List.
Before she started the role in 2021, she was a senior campaign adviser to US Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential bid.
She has also worked as Director of Public Policy at Airbnb and as a union leader.
Last month, prior to Feinstein’s death, Newsom pledged to appoint a black woman to serve the remainder of Feinstein’s term – until elections take place in November 2024 – should the post become vacant. However, he said he hoped that it was a decision he would not have to make.