DFA to Newsom: Appoint a Black woman to replace VP-elect Kamala Harris
Today, Democracy for America (DFA) launched a grassroots effort calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with another progressive Black woman in the United States Senate.
DFA’s campaign launched with a grassroots petition encouraging individuals to join DFA in urging Governor Newsom to “honor [Harris’] legacy” by appointing another “powerful, progressive Black woman” to replace her in the Senate. When she was elected in 2016, Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to represent California in the U.S. Senate and just the second Black woman to win a seat in the Senate’s history.
In the days and weeks ahead, DFA will work to add other progressive leaders and organizations to its grassroots effort.
Democracy for America was a strong, early supporter of Harris during her 2016 race following a member poll conducted in early 2015 that showed her broad support throughout the state.
Statement from DFA CEO Yvette Simpson on the organization’s calls to Newsom to appoint a Black woman to replace VP-elect Harris in the U.S. Senate:
“In this year’s election, Black women helped make history by making Kamala Harris the first Black woman to be elected Vice President. Today, we’re calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with another powerful, progressive Black woman to ensure that a leader with Black women’s unique life experience continues to have a voice in the U.S. Senate.
“The good news for Californians and Gov. Newsom is that it should be incredibly easy to choose a proven leader who will also continue to bring the perspective of Black women to the U.S. Senate. The Golden State is blessed to have several strong, experienced Black progressive women leaders to choose from, including progressive icon Rep. Barbara Lee and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass.
“When she was elected in 2016, Kamala Harris was the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from California and just the second Black woman in American history to be elected to our nation’s highest legislative body. We hope California Gov. Newsom will honor Californians’ historic choice and make sure the nation’s largest state continues to be represented by a powerful, progressive Black woman who will make her state proud.” -- Yvette Simpson, CEO, Democracy for America
DFA has 153,482 members in California and more than one million members nationwide.