By foregoing campaign that would have been hard to win, she’s well-positioned if she chooses to seek office later.
The greatest impediments for Sen. Laphonza Butler, had she sought a full term, would have been time and money, two vital ingredients to political success.Overnight, she went from being a campaign strategist and behind-the-scenes operative — unknown to most, save political insiders — to a U.S. senator representing nearly 40 million residents of the most important state in the union.
The March 5 primary is a little over four months from now, an incredibly short time to ramp up a statewide campaign, raise the many millions of dollars needed to advertise and develop even a cursory relationship with voters sprawling over California’s vast expanse.She was living in Maryland and working in Washington, D.C., leading the women’s campaign organization Emily’s List, before her Senate appointment. Her lack of longstanding California residency would have surely become an issue.
She would have started flat-footed against a formidable field of contenders, including Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, who collectively have already amassed tens of millions of dollars. “I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go,” Butler stated. “It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me.”How to watch the historic swearing in of appointed U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler
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