[California] – In a moment of profound change and transition, California Governor Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler as the temporary replacement for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, and many politically progressive leaders urge that this was not the best decision.
“Barbara Lee’s unwavering commitment to justice and equity makes her an exemplary choice to represent California in the Senate. Her dedication to our community’s well-being is evident, and we believe she should be appointed as the next U.S. Senator from California,” said Dr. Shane B. Scott, Senior Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church.
In the spirit of democracy, many voices from various sectors of the community have expressed their disappointment in Governor Newsom’s appointment and their support for Barbara Lee, a distinguished California Congressmember, to succeed Senator Feinstein. Barbara Lee has a long-standing track record of dedication to public service and a deep commitment to representing the interests of the people of California.
Barbara Lee’s qualifications include:
Being one of the first Black women to rise up to a senior position on Capitol Hill as chief of staff for Congressman Ron Dellums.
First African American woman elected to the State Assembly and Senate from Northern California.
Wrote California’s first Violence Against Women Act to ensure protections for victims of domestic violence.
Became the first woman elected to Congress from her district, where she’s been fighting discrimination, poverty, and for the rights of all.
Spearheaded nearly every major piece of HIV/AIDS legislation and worked with then-President Bush to secure $15 billion in funding to address the epidemic.
Introduced the landmark Marijuana Justice Act to reform unjust marijuana laws and address their disproportionate impact on people of color.
Casted the sole no vote against giving the president unlimited war powers after 9/11.
The list continues and is as long as the list of progressive leaders that endorse Barbara Lee, such as Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia House Minority Leader; Rob Bonta, California State Attorney General; Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, Chair, California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus; Mark DeSaulnier, U.S. House of Representatives (CA); Steve Bradford, California State Senate; Congressmember Ro Khanna, co-chair of Lee’s Senate campaign, and hundreds more.
“She [Barbara Lee] has the support of progressives and her colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and elected officials across the state of California because of her record,” Congressmember Ro Khanna said in an interview on Democracy Now. “She has spent decades advocating against war, advocating against a blank check for George Bush in Afghanistan when every other member gave Bush that blank check, arguing against the War in Iraq, arguing for Medicare for All and is an original co-sponsor. She has a record that speaks volumes for the type of country we need to be. And so, my enthusiastic support is with her.”
Now, Dr. Scott is asking the public to join forces with him and leaders nationwide to call upon Governor Newsom and the California Legislature to put the decision about our next Senator into the hands of the public. He believes that the people of California should have a voice in selecting their representative in the U.S. Senate and have developed a petition to support this call to action and help ensure a fair and inclusive democratic process.
Sign the petition here!
As the longest-serving woman in the Senate and an advocate for California, Senator Dianne Feinstein’s legacy will always be remembered. Her passing leaves a void that will be filled in the upcoming elections, and many are fighting for that to be Congresswomen Barbara Lee.
