In her battle for a seat in the election for governor, Toni Atkins, a seasoned leader in San Diego and around the state, has secured important endorsements.
She started out at Womancare Health Center in San Diego as the director of clinic services before moving to City Hall and joining the San Diego City Council in 2000. In 2016, she was elected to the state senate after first serving in the state Assembly.
She became the first openly LGBTQ woman to hold the position of Senate President pro Tempore a year later.
With the support of prominent state authorities, she is now pursuing the position of governor.
The election, which will be concluded in over a year, will pit Atkins against a wide range of other contenders. Since California Governor Gavin Newsom is serving his second term and is not able to run again, there is no incumbent in the contest.
Toni Atkins is authentic. According to a statement from current Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, she is driven by the desire to help others and strengthen communities.
No one unites people like her, and she is unrelenting in her efforts to increase access to affordable housing and reduce expenses for all Californians.
State senators Scott Wiener, Caroline Menjivar, and John Laird, as well as assembly members LaShae Sharp-Collins of La Mesa and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, who is presently the majority leader of the assembly, are among the endorsers who are currently holding public office.
Former senators Susan Eggman and Richard Roth also have endorsed Atkins.
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According to a UC Irvine poll earlier this month, most respondents said they were not sure yet, but former Vice President Kamala Harris came in second with support from 24% of respondents.
Before formally announcing on social media on Wednesday afternoon that she would not be running for governor, Harris never put herself up as a candidate, but she also never ruled out running.
I have been seriously considering asking the people of California for the honor of being their governor in recent months. This state, its people, and its promise are all things I adore. I call it home. In her announcement, Harris said, “But after careful consideration, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor this election.”
Atkins was not directly included in the UC Irvine poll, although the other category had a 1% polling rate. Republican Rick Caruso, who polled at 9%, and Democrat Katie Porter, who polled at 6%, were the top polling candidates behind Harris.
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Given the recent endorsements, Harris’ resignation might cause a stir in the upcoming vote, giving Atkins a chance to advance.
This campaign has always focused on California’s future, addressing growing expenses, protecting our liberties, and advocating for underserved communities. After Harris’ declaration, Atkins released a statement saying, “Vice President Harris has made her decision, and I thank her for her decades of service to our state and country.”
The goal remains unchanged. This campaign was created with the intention of leading, winning, and fighting for every Californian in every zip code. She declared, “I’m prepared to lead on day one as Governor of California, and our path to victory is clear.”