Higher Heights Statement in Response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Remarks on a Potential Appointment of a Black Woman to the U.S. Senate

BROOKLYN (Sept 13, 2023) — Higher Heights for America PAC President and CEO Glynda C. Carr made the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s remarks on “Meet the Press with Chuck Todd” on September 10 about potentially appointing a Black woman to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat:

“In 2021, Gov. Newsom pledged to appoint a Black woman to the Senate if Senator Feinstein were to resign. When asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday whether he would abide by his pledge if that time comes, he reiterated that he would, but also indicated that such an appointment would be essentially a caretaker role.

His comments suggest that the Black woman he would appoint as interim would not make an impact, advocate, and vote on important issues while serving the remainder of the term. It is offensive and undermines the potential impact of their leadership.

As an organization that advocates for Black women’s leadership and electoral power, I find his remarks deeply offensive.

Higher Heights endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), also criticized Gov Newsom’s comments that he would appoint a Black woman to be Sen. Feinstein’s replacement — but not someone running for the seat, calling his comments “insulting.”

The sentiments of Gov. Newsom are a slap in the face to the Black women making the progress this country needs. The perspective of Black women in the U.S. Senate is sorely needed — and needed for more than a few months. Governor Newsom knows this, which is why he made the pledge in the first place.

With zero Black women currently in the U.S. Senate, we are at a pivotal time when a Black woman’s voice is needed more than ever in this legislative body.

It is now time for Gov. Newsom to stand by what he has pledged, and he in no way should have discussed any potential appointment as a placeholder role. Vowing to appoint a Black woman to the U.S. Senate for only months makes Gov. Newsom’s pledge the hollowest of gestures.

Californians deserve better, and America deserves better.”

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Higher Heights for America PAC is a political action committee providing Black women with a political home exclusively dedicated to harnessing their power to expand Black women’s elected representation and voting participation, and advance progressive policies from the voting booth to elected office, and creating the environment for Black women to run, win and lead. For additional information, visit https://www.higherheightsforamericapac.org.