Latinos Pressure California Governor on US Senate Appointee

A Latino group openly pressured Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday to select a Hispanic replacement if U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ seat becomes vacant, saying it was time for a historic pick that would reflect the growing influence of Latinos in the nation’s most populous state.

The letter to Newsom from the Latino Community Foundation marks a new public phase to the emerging competition for the seat, which would open up if Joe Biden and Harris, his pick for vice president, win in November. Should a vacancy occur, Newsom has the authority to name a successor for a term that runs through January 2023 {snip}

California has never elected a Latino US senator, though Hispanics make up nearly 40% of the population {snip}

“Our voice remains missing from the highest levels of our government,” the foundation wrote in the letter, released Thursday but dated Wednesday and signed by hundreds of supporters. “It is up to states like California to do their part to ensure that we are building more diverse and inclusive institutions reflective of our society.”

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The choice, should it come, would be politically tricky for the Democratic governor, with considerations that could range from gender, geography and demographics to personal relationships.

There would be pressure to select a woman, especially a Black woman, to replace Harris {snip}

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