In the wake of the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) was appointed to temporarily fill her seat before the 2024 election.

Many believed that she would undoubtedly make a run for the seat after having held it for the time being, but according to the Washington Examiner, that's not the case.

In an interview Thursday, Butler promised to be "the loudest, proudest champion of California" for the remainder of her time in the position but added that "this is not the greatest use of my voice."

"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," Butler said in a statement. "It may not be the decision people expected, but it’s the right one for me."

California Sen. Laphonza Butler Opts Out of 2024 Senate Race

Butler, a relatively unknown appointee selected to replace the late Dianne Feinstein, made the decision after 'pursuing my own clarity.'https://t.co/5DFj1bMTVr

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 20, 2023

According to the Associated Press, she made the shocking decision after considering "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."

It may not be the decision people expected but it's the right one for me.

California voters want leaders who think about them and the issues they care most about. I now have 383 days to serve the people of California with every ounce of energy and effort that I have.

— Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 19, 2023

Fox News noted:

Newsom appointed Butler, the president of EMILY's List — a Democratic political action committee dedicated to electing pro-abortion Democratic women to office — for the vacant interim Senate seat earlier this month after Feinstein died. She was 90 years old and the longest serving female senator.

Several high-profile Democrats are vying to fill Feinstein's seat, and at least one Republican, who happens to be a former MLB star.

The AP noted:

Her candidacy would have complicated an already crowded race that includes several other prominent Democrats — U.S. Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee — and Republican Steve Garvey, a former Major League Baseball star.

Schiff and Porter are neck-and-neck in the polling, and are thought to have the best chance at winning the seat. Both candidates have strong fundraising and support from their base.

Butler will serve her time in Feinstein's old seat for the next year, and will have a spot in most of the late senator's powerful committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee.

She received mixed reactions across social media over her decision to not run for the seat.

Only time will tell if she changes her mind.