Washington, D.C.— People For the American Way today called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to select either Rep. Karen Bass or Rep. Barbara Lee to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s former seat in the U.S. Senate. People For the American Way President Ben Jealous and Board member Dolores Huerta released the following statements:

“Karen Bass and Barbara Lee are incredibly accomplished and distinguished progressive members of Congress, and either one would be a worthy successor to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the Senate,” said Ben Jealous. “Not only would they represent California well, they would provide a much-needed voice for Black women in the Senate after its only Black female member departs.  We urge Governor Newsom to honor the work and Senate legacy of Kamala Harris by choosing one of these outstanding women to succeed her.”

“As a Californian, I would be incredibly excited and proud to see either Barbara Lee or Karen Bass appointed to Kamala Harris’s former Senate seat,” said Dolores Huerta. “It’s critically important that Governor Newsom select a woman of color for this seat.  And both of these wonderful women have outstanding records of fighting for important issues including health care, the battle against HIV/AIDS, and criminal justice reform.  Governor Newsom should seize this opportunity to name one of them to the U.S. Senate.”

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About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.