Emerson College
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Democrat
Toni Atkins
California Governor winner? (Person)
$49.2M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age63 years old (Aug 1, 1962)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationB.A., Political Science, Emory & Henry College (1984)
Notable personal detailsToni Gayle Atkins is a California Democratic politician from San Diego who served as President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2018 to 2024 and previously served as Speaker of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016. She represented San Diego in the California State Senate (39th District) and earlier served on the San Diego City Council, including a brief period as acting mayor in 2005. Before elected office, she worked in health services and as a policy aide in San Diego city government.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgtoniatkins.orglatimes.comkpbs.orgppic.orgjoincalifornia.comsd21.senate.ca.govsenate.ca.govcalmatters.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgleginfo.ca.govcapitolweekly.netassembly.ca.govsecretary.senate.ca.govcongress.govelections.cdn.sos.ca.govfoxla.comgov.ca.govtimesofsandiego.comaclucalaction.orgaclu-sdic.orgcaliforniaglobe.comyubanet.comenvirovoters.orgscorecard.ecovote.orgforbes.comgvwire.comarchive.senate.ca.govfox5sandiego.comlasentinel.netinstagram.comfacebook.comsacbee.comebar.comabc10.comsfchronicle.comktla.comballotpedia.orgpolitico.comx.comlinkedin.comsenate.govrpc.senate.govgovinfo.govepw.senate.govncsl.orgcarbajal.house.govgomez.house.govballotready.orgfec.govlevin.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Toni Atkins has supported budgets that prioritize direct relief to Californians, expanded investments in education, health care, housing and climate, and building record reserves while also supporting targeted business tax credits. She has said she would avoid broad tax increases "in this moment," indicating reluctance to pursue sweeping new taxes even while backing some revenue-funded programs. Overall her record shows progressive spending priorities combined with a pragmatic approach to taxes and budgeting.
Healthcare
Supports expanding and protecting access to health care through government programs such as Medi‑Cal and laws that safeguard reproductive and gender‑affirming health services; has sponsored legislation to expand the reproductive health workforce and to prevent insurers from penalizing providers who lawfully provide abortion or gender‑affirming care in California.
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Immigration & Border
Supports policies that protect immigrants and expand access to services and legal protections while calling for humanitarian responses at the southern border. Has backed state legislation limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and sponsored/endorsed bills to assist immigrant integration, confidentiality, and due process. Advocates for state-level measures to shield immigrants from immigration-enforcement-related harms and to expand access to benefits and pathways to legal status.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports enshrining and protecting the right to abortion and access to reproductive health care in California, has authored legislation to codify abortion rights in the state constitution, and has sponsored bills to expand access to abortion services and reproductive care providers.
Climate & Energy
Toni Atkins has led and supported major climate legislation and multiyear climate budgets in California, backing large clean-energy and climate resilience funding packages and votes that commit the state to accelerated emissions-reduction and carbon-neutrality targets. She has a long record of pro-environment votes, high scores from environmental groups, and has returned and refused oil industry campaign contributions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded firearm regulations and public-safety measures while operating within California’s regulatory framework. As a California legislator she voted in favor of measures including bans on 3-D printed/"ghost" guns, expanded penalties and amendments to the Penal Code related to firearms, and state-level actions increasing oversight of firearm sales and taxation on guns and ammunition. These votes indicate support for strengthened background checks and restrictions on certain classes of firearms and accessories.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Toni Atkins is drawing attention in California’s crowded governor’s race, with recent polling putting her near the top of the Democratic field at 22% ahead of the June 2 primary. The race has been dominated by debates over affordability, housing, health care, and who is to blame for the state’s problems, while Democrats worry their split field could let Republicans advance. Atkins has been part of the main candidate forums and debates as the campaign heads into the final stretch.
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Articles
VCVentura County Star4 months ago
California governor race gears up with March debate. How to watch
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner2 months ago
Steyer sinks $195 million into California campaign for marginal polling gains
Positive
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
What time is California governor debate? See channels airing Tuesday
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
‘Bickering’ and blaming Trump dominate California gubernatorial debate
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor winner? (Person)
Endorsers of Toni Atkins for California Governor winner? (Person)
San Diego County Young Democrats
Elected official
San Diego County Young Democrats endorsed Toni Atkins for governor.
Holly Mitchell
Elected official
Holly Mitchell endorsed Toni Atkins for California governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising