Laphonza Butler says she will not seek Senate seat in 2024

Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler of California said Thursday that she would not run for a full term next year.

"I've spent the past 16 days pursuing my clarity - what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward," Butler said in a statement. "After considering those questions I've decided not to run for Senate in the upcoming election. Knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign."

Butler told The New York Times, which first reported the news, that she would be the "the loudest, proudest champion of California" for the remainder of her term but that "this is not the greatest use of my voice."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.