Laphonza Butler sworn in as replacement to late California Senator Dianne Feinstein

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — California Governor Gavin Newsom’s pick to serve out the remainder of late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s term was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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The 44-year-old Mississippi native has never held public office before, but is a well-known consultant and has been a trusted advisor to Vice President Harris.

“She was the only choice,” Newsom told reporters during a Monday press conference. “She has deep governmental experience, meaning she understands how systems work. She has deep understanding of legislative process, deep national experience, she’s next-level qualified.”

Butler was the President of “EMILY’s List,” where she campaigned to elect women who support abortion rights to office.

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She resigned from that job Monday.

She is the first Black lesbian openly serving in the U.S. Senate.

Butler will be able to run for the seat in 2024.

Now that she has been sworn in, Butler is scheduled to fly to San Francisco, her first official stop as a U.S. Senator for California.