Los Angeles Times

State Senate leader Toni Atkins joins 2026 race for California governor

California State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins launched a run for governor with an event at the San Diego Air& Space Museum on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

California state Sen. Toni Atkins, a San Diego Democrat, announced a 2026 run for California governor Friday morning, making the legislative leader the latest entrant in an increasingly crowded race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom after he is forced out of office by term limits.

Atkins serves as Senate president pro tem and is a former Assembly speaker. She is the first female and first out LGBTQ+ president pro tem in state history and also the first legislator since 1871 to hold both leadership posts.

She is terming

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