"Atkins began her political career on the San Diego City Council after serving as a women's clinic administrator. She became the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve as Senate president pro tem, the top position in the California Senate. She was also the speaker of the state Assembly, making her the first legislator since 1871 to hold both leadership posts."
"In Sacramento, Atkins was a champion for affordable housing and reproductive rights, including writing the legislation that became Proposition 1 in 2022, codifying abortion rights in the California Constitution after national protections were undone by the U.S. Supreme Court. With President Trump and his allies "gutting health care, cratering our economy, and stripping away fundamental rights and freedoms," Atkins told supporters Monday, "we've got to make sure California has a Democratic governor leading the fight, and that means uniting as Democrats.""
Toni Atkins dropped out of the 2026 California governor's race, reducing the crowded Democratic field. She grew up in rural Virginia and often felt "too country, too poor, too gay" before finding acceptance on the West Coast. Atkins built a career starting as a women's clinic administrator and serving on the San Diego City Council. She became the first openly LGBTQ+ Senate president pro tem and also served as Assembly speaker, the first to hold both posts since 1871. In Sacramento, Atkins championed affordable housing and reproductive rights, authoring the legislation that became Proposition 1 in 2022. She cited no viable path to victory.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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