WC_Laphonza_FB (Twitter Post)
We were so excited yesterday to welcome a new woman to the US Senate: Laphonza Butler, who will be officially sworn in on Wednesday.
Senator-designate Butler comes to Congress after a lifetime of working in Democratic politics, most recently as the president of Emily’s List. Before that, she was president of the California SEIU State Council, during which she was instrumental in securing union support for the presidential campaigns of both Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton.
Laphonza will be only the third Black woman and third openly LGBTQ woman to serve. Once she is sworn in—fittingly, Vice President Harris will do the honors—she will be the only Black woman currently serving, and one of only four women of color.
So while this is an incredible moment for women’s progress and representation, it’s also a moment when we should renew our commitment to electing more women of color to Congress.
On the slate are Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Barbara Lee, as well as Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who would all increase Black women’s representation in the Senate if elected. It also features former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel Powell, who would add to the ranks of Latina women if elected, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the first out gay woman to serve in the Senate.
We don’t know yet if Laphonza plans to run. If she does, we will add her to the slate in keeping with our mission, ensuring that every viable woman is supported and increasing women’s representation in office.