Appoint a Black Woman to the Senate for Kamala Harris.

[They are former Senators Carol Moseley Braun (D-N.Y.) and Kamala Harris (D-N.Y.). When Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, she became the second black woman in history and the first South Asian American senator, replacing Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer, who is retiring after serving more than 20 years. With Harris set to become Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom must appoint someone to fill Harris' crucial and coveted Senate seat in the state, a diverse Democratic stronghold (opens in new tab (open in new tab). This person is expected to serve out Harris' full term and run in the 2022 election when his term expires.

If Senator Harris becomes vice president, he will be the only two blacks out of 100 senators, and both are men. For the past four years, while Senators have tried, and in some cases succeeded, in eliminating voting protections, attacking affordable health care, and eroding progress on systemic issues of racial injustice, we have relied on Senator Harris to speak up and speak for the black community and communities of color. In particular, this summer, Senator Harris fought on the Senate floor against efforts to weaken anti-lynching legislation (opens in new tab) that would have made lynching a federal crime. Harris also introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (opens in new tab) and reintroduced the Access to Maternal Care and Emergency Mitigation (Maternal CARE) Act (opens in new tab). Both bills address a national crisis in which black women are three times more likely to suffer serious complications and deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Without vocal advocates in the Senate, Black women and our communities are further endangered. Governor Newsom has an important opportunity to be on the right side of history and continue the work that Vice President-elect Harris has done for California and for the nation. Appointing a black woman to the vacant seat is not only the best choice for the state, it is necessary for the nation. [We will mobilize our community to rise up (opens in new tab) and demand action from those in power despite the seemingly insurmountable systemic challenges placed upon us. As Vice President-elect Harris said in his victory speech (opens in new tab), Black women "are often overlooked, but they often prove to be the backbone of our democracy." Black women have consistently demonstrated (opens in new tab) that our political participation and leadership are essential to the survival of our democracy. It is no longer enough to listen to Black women; we need to be in every room and at every table where decisions are made.

As for appropriate replacements, both Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) have served California, their districts, and our nation with the utmost integrity and dedication in advancing important legislation that will most impact our communities. They have served our state with distinction. As incumbent members of the Assembly, they are uniquely qualified to make an immediate impact from day one.

Assemblymember Bass leads one of California's most diverse districts and is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his bipartisanship and negotiating skills. Assemblymember Bass was elected Speaker of the California Assembly in 2008 (opens in new tab) and was the first black woman to serve in that position and lead the state legislature. She was elected Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (open in new tab) in 2018 and is recognized for her fierce commitment to social justice, leading on issues such as criminal justice reform, foster care, and affordable healthcare for her constituents.

Currently serving her 12th term in the Assembly, Congresswoman Lee is a former leader of the California State Assembly and the first black woman in Northern California (open in new tab) to be elected to the State Senate. She has been a progressive leader on issues such as violence against women, poverty alleviation, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights. This year, Rep. Lee supported a bill (open in new tab) for a national commission to study the effects of slavery, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color. As co-chair of the Steering and Policy Committee, Congresswoman Lee is the highest-ranking black female member of Congress.

Both women command the highest respect from their constituents and peers. Their experience is palpable and their records unmatched. We need women like Senators Bass and Lee in the Senate who reflect our values and our hopes for our nation and who understand that racial justice and gender equality are inextricably linked to every important policy issue of our time.

The 2020 election season has forever changed the face of politics for the better of our communities and our government. For the sake of California, our nation, and the future of black and brown women, there is no better choice for Governor Newsom than to appoint Senators Bass or Lee to replace Senator Harris. These women are well-qualified to get to work immediately and will continue to serve as strong advocates for their marginalized constituents, both Californians and the nation as a whole.

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