"The announcement was expected to come Monday, and an adviser to the governor, Anthony York, told POLITICO that Newsom is making his appointment without putting limitations or preconditions on his pick running for the seat in 2024," the outlet reports. "That means Butler could decide to join the sprawling and competitive field of Democratic contenders seeking to succeed Feinstein, with special elections now layered on top of the March primary and November runoff."

In appointing Butler, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to nominate a black woman to fill Feinstein's seat.

Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) have already launched campaigns for Feinstein's seat in 2024. Newsom reportedly did not want to give any of the declared candidates an advantage. Lee, who had long been angling for a Senate appointment, expressed her disappointment.