California Gov. Gavin Newsom names Adam Schiff to Senate seat early

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Adam Schiff will get a jump on his term as U.S. senator by a few weeks with California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointing him to complete the term currently appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler on Sunday.

Schiff, D-Calif., was elected to the seat long held by late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in November, but would not have officially taken office until next month. Newsom appointed Butler to the post in October 2023 to complete Feinstein's term.

Butler, the former president of Emily's List, a national organization dedicated to electing women, was the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the U.S. Senate.

"When Sen. Laphonza Butler took her seat in the Senate a year ago, she brought with her a lifetime of lessons learned from organizing and advocating for opportunity and justice," Newsom said in a statement. "In just a short time, she has left an incredible mark, proving that true leadership isn't measured by the length of service, but by the depth of impact."

Schiff is a target of incoming President Donald Trump because of his work in the House during its Russia influence investigation during Trump's first term. Schiff has said he will not be intimidated by Trump.

Schiff joins fellow House member Andy Kim, D-N.J., as an early entry into the Senate. Kim, who won the election in November to replace embattled former Sen. Bob Menendez, was appointed Sunday to that post immediately by Gov. Phil Murphy on Sunday.

Kim becomes the first Korean American to represent a state in the Senate.