Laphonza Butler says she will not seek Senate seat in 2024

Originally Published: 19 OCT 23 16:47 ET
By Kyle Blaine, CNN

(CNN) — Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler of California said Thursday that she would not run for a full term next year.

Butler told The New York Times that she would be the “the loudest, proudest champion of California” for the remainder of her term but that “this is not the greatest use of my voice.”

Statement from Senator Laphonza Butler's Team:

“I have spent my entire life working on behalf of working men and women whether I was fighting to win more pay and protections for their labor, strengthen their communities or help them get elected. I’ve always believed elected leaders should have real clarity about why they’re in office and what they want to do with the responsibility and power they have. I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my clarity - 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. After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for Senate in the upcoming election. 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. It may not be the decision people expected but it's the right one for me. California voters want leaders who think about them and the issues they care most about. I now have 383 days to serve the people of California with every ounce of energy and effort that I have. Muhammad Ali once said, ‘don’t count the days, make the days count.’ I intend to do just that.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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