Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to appoint a Black woman if either of California’s U.S. Senate seats opened up. Some Black elected leaders and political activists are questioning why Newsom hasn’t already endorsed Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland.
“Making good on a commitment is a serious thing to the most critical base of Democratic Party voters,” said Aimee Allison, founder and president of, an advocacy group pushing for more women of color to hold elected office. “The governor could complicate his legacy and push Black women, who in this state are a significant and critical voting bloc, to view him skeptically as someone who’s unwilling to support us when it counts.
“We still do not have a Black female senator in those halls. [Newsom] could be part of history. Right?” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager , who has endorsed Lee along with Schiff in the primary. “It’s very curious.” In that scenario, whomever Newsom appoints would have an immediate advantage over the other candidates, given the heightened public profile and fundraising abilities of Senate incumbents. Padilla, after his appointment by Newsom, cleared the Democratic field last year when running for his first full term and breezed to victory over a Republican rival.
“There are three extremely qualified candidates in the race that have displayed the courage it takes to fight for California values in Washington, D.C.,” said Lindsey Cobia, Newsom’s senior political aide. “At this time, the governor will not be weighing in on the race.”
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