In a series of tweets posted on Thursday, Butler explained her thought process and ultimate decision not to run. Recounting how she had “spent my life working for working men and women” in reference to her career of labor and political activism, Butler said that she has “always believed elected leaders should have real clarity about why they’re in office and what they want to do with the responsibility and power they have.”

do with the responsibility and power they have.
I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity – what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward.

— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 19, 2023

Along with announcing that she has “decided not to run for a full term in the US Senate,” Butler wrote that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign.”

After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for a full term in the US Senate. Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go.

— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 19, 2023

US Senate

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