Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was selected by California Gov. Gavin Newsom 18 days ago to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, will not run for a full term in 2024. 

“I’ve 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,” Butler (D-Calif.) she wrote on X Thursday.

“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.

“After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for a full term in the US Senate.”

Butler, 44, is the first black lesbian to ever serve Congress. 

Her decision to not seek a full term comes after questions emerged about whether the Golden State’s newest senator actually resides in California. 

Butler has been a Silver Spring, Maryland, resident since 2021, FEC filings and public records show.

She moved to the Washington, DC, region to become the president of Emily’s List, a political action committee dedicated to electing Democratic female candidates who support abortion.

Butler maintained a residence in California from 2009 to 2021, according to records, but a spokesperson for Newsom previously told The Post that she recently re-registered to vote in the Golden State.

“Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign,” Butler tweeted, defending her decision. “I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go.

“It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me,” she added, vowing to “serve the people of California with every ounce of energy and effort that I have” until her term ends. 

Three Democratic members of California’s congressional delegation — Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee — announced their candidacy for the Senate seat earlier this year, after Feinstein revealed in February that she would not seek re-election. 

Feinstein, who had served in the upper chamber since 1992, died last month at the age of 90.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman Steve Garvey announced earlier this month that he would run for the seat as a Republican. 

Under California’s primary system, the top two vote-getters will square off in the November general election, even if both are from the same party. 

California’s primary is slated for March 5.