Vice President-elect Kamala Harris resigning from Senate at noon.
By KATHLEEN RONAYNE and ALEXANDRA JAFFE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is preparing to fill Kamala Harris’ Senate seat when she resigns on Monday to become the nation’s first female vice president.
In a telephone interview with the AP on Sunday, Newsom called Harris a “fearless fighter” and said it was the honor of his lifetime to appoint her to the seat.
Her resignation will create a vacancy that Newsom will fill by appointing someone to serve the final two years of Harris’ term. Newsom told the AP that he has not yet decided who will fill the seat and will make an announcement soon.
Whoever Newsom chooses will be California’s first Latino senator.
The timing of the appointment was unclear. Under state law, Newsom has 15 days to make the appointment once Harris’ resignation takes effect. Harris will be inaugurated as vice president at noon Eastern time on Wednesday, making it likely that Newsom’s announcement will be timed to that event.
Tying up the loose end of Harris’ Senate term is just one item on the long to-do list of appointments and preparation for Newsom as he heads into the critical midterm elections. Newsom will next have to prepare for 2022 when he will be up for reelection.