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Laphonza Butler made history when she took the oath to serve as the junior U.S. Senator from California in October 2023. She became the first openly queer Black representative to join the U.S. Senate from California and just the third Black woman to hold this position. Butler was the first Black woman president of EMILY's List, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women. She served as president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of California, representing 700,000 members and emphasizing her commitment to championing gender equality, women's rights and labor advocacy. Butler's impressive political journey includes serving as a senior adviser on both Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Her unwavering dedication earned her praise from former President Barack Obama, who described her as a "champion for change." In a recent announcement, Butler revealed she won't seek re-election in 2024, emphasizing her devotion to California's voters and their pressing concerns. With under a year left in her term, she is determined to make each moment count.