This is CBS Eye on the World with John Bacheler.

Here's John Bacheler.

California, Gavin Newsom, the very powerful and popular governor of California,

a choice, Dianne Feinstein's passing, meant that the governor needed to choose

a senator to serve out the term.

And there is a primary underway.

It gets very complicated, so I'm very happy that Bill Whalen of the Hoover Institution,

the host of Politics and Policy podcast, and Goodfellas podcast, TV show, video,

he is here to help me understand what's going to happen between now and the new Senate.

Bill, a very good evening to you.

Lafonza Butler is the governor's choice.

She is living in Maryland, but she's a long time active political voice in California.

What I see most importantly from your presentation is that she's strong union.

How was her choice, the choice the governor made received in California?

Good evening to you, Bill.

Good evening, John.

I was received with somewhat raised eyebrows because while the governor had made it clear

that he was going to pick a black woman for the seat, the little surprise that the black woman

actually lived in Maryland.

But the bigger surprise here, John, was that one of the news and conditions was not just

racing gender, but also that whoever got the job agreed to just be an interim senator

and not serve beyond the remainder of Senator Feinstein's term, which is through next year.

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