Pro-life advocates criticized Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to appoint Laphonza Butler, president of EMILY’s List, a pro-abortion lobbyist group, as the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s replacement.
Feinstein passed away on Friday at the age of 90 after several years of suffering from health issues, and Newsom announced in a press release Sunday that he was appointing Butler as the state’s “first openly LGBTQ person” to the position. Pro-life advocates quickly pointed out Butler’s history in the pro-choice movement and Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, called Newsom’s decision “another rubber stamp for the brutal abortion industry,” in a prepared statement. (RELATED: Biden DOJ’s Response To Pregnancy Center Attacks Shows ‘Double Standards,’ Pro-Life Advocates And Legal Experts Say)
“The abortion lobby spends millions to elect Democrats who back its agenda of abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy, paid for by taxpayers,” Dannenfelser said. “Democrats like Newsom, in turn, are beholden to the abortion lobby. The pay-to-play system couldn’t be more obvious, with an unelected Senate seat as the ultimate reward. … Voters need to realize the days of ‘safe, legal and rare’ are gone – today’s Democratic Party stands for abortion any time, for any reason with no limits up to birth.”
Dr. Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life advocate, described EMILY’s List as a “funding raising machine for pro-abortion political candidates,” according to a post on Twitter.
Gavin Newsom has replaced Dianne Feinstein with the President of EMILY’s List, a fundraising machine for pro-abortion political candidates.
The fact that the left gloats, encourages and celebrates the death of children in the womb should tell you everything about them.
— Dr. Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) October 2, 2023
Steven Ertelt, founder and editor of the pro-life media outlet LifeNews, also took to social media after the news broke, noting that FEC filings had listed Butler as a Maryland resident.
“Gavin Newsom named Laphonza Butler as California’s new senator even though an FEC filing a month ago lists her as a Maryland resident,” Ertelt wrote on Twitter. “But Newsom chose her because she’s a radical abortion activist who supports abortion up to birth. Democrats are the Abortion Party.”
Gavin Newsom named Laphonza Butler as California’s new senator even though an FEC filing a month ago lists her as a Maryland resident.
But Newsom chose her because she’s a radical abortion activist who supports abortion up to birth.
Democrats are the Abortion Party. pic.twitter.com/NO7ljPSzaC
— Steven Ertelt (@StevenErtelt) October 2, 2023
Michael New, a pro-life advocate and assistant professor of Social Research at The Catholic University of America, argued that Newsom’s decision is evidence of the “abortion lobby” owning “the Democratic party,” according to a post on Twitter.
Reports indicate CA Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint @emilyslist President LaPhonza Butler to California’s U.S. Senate seat
Imagine the outcry if a GOP Governor appointed a pro-life leader to a vacant U.S. Senate seat.
This shows the abortion lobby *owns* the Democratic Party
— Michael New (@Michael_J_New) October 2, 2023
Butler said that leaving her current position at EMILY’s List is “truly bittersweet” but that she is “honored” by the appointment, according to a Monday press release.
“I am humbled by the Governor’s trust. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s leadership and legacy are immeasurable,” Butler said. “I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation. … I have been proud of the work we have done and am grateful to all of the members of the Board, the staff, our donors, and candidates who work every day to ensure more Democratic pro-choice women can run, win, and change the world.
EMILY’s List did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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