Laphonza Butler is the third Black woman to serve in the chamber ... She is not seeking reelection. In other words: Only three Black women have served in the Senate, and never at the same time.

Laphonza Butler is the third Black woman to serve in the chamber, but she was not elected — she was appointed in October 2023 to finish out the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's term, which ends in January ...