California Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) will not run for office next year, she told the New York Times on Thursday.

Why it matters: The announcement truly opens up the field for an already growing pool of candidates, which includes three Democratic representatives and a former MLB star running as a Republican,

Butler, the former Emily’s List president, was appointed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

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