Emerson College
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Democrat
Toni Atkins
Democrat
Toni Atkins
California Governor winner?
$46.6M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age63 years old (Aug 1, 1962)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationEmory & Henry College (BA, Political Science)
Notable personal detailsToni Gayle Atkins is an American Democratic politician from San Diego who served on the San Diego City Council (including as acting mayor in 2005), then in the California State Assembly (2010–2016), and in the California State Senate representing the 39th District (2016–2024). She was Speaker of the California State Assembly (2014–2016) and later President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024), the first woman and first openly LGBTQ person to lead the state Senate. She launched a campaign for California governor in the 2026 election cycle and later suspended it in September 2025.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgppic.orggov.ca.govcalmatters.orgru.ruwiki.rues.wikipedia.orglatimes.comjoincalifornia.comwikirank.netsfchronicle.comsenate.ca.govhcpsocal.orgaclusocal.orgwomenscaucus.legislature.ca.govthefreedomindex.orgahma-psw.orgfoxla.comkpbs.orgtimesofsandiego.comtoniatkins.orgaclucalaction.orgaclu-sdic.orgcaliforniaglobe.comyubanet.comenvirovoters.orgscorecard.ecovote.orgforbes.comjustfacts.votesmart.orggvwire.comarchive.senate.ca.govaxios.comcbsnews.comapnews.comstatic.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgncsl.orgde.wikipedia.orghistory.house.govdesaulnier.house.govcongress.govsarajacobs.house.govsanders.senate.govgomez.house.govfec.govcarbajal.house.govtakano.house.govballotready.orglevin.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 updatedJun 12, 2026
Toni Atkins is drawing attention in the crowded California governor’s race, with recent polling putting her near the top of the Democratic field at 22% ahead of the June 2 primary. She has been part of the main debate and forum discussions, where candidates have focused on affordability, the economy, health care, childcare, and the state budget deficit. The race remains unsettled, with Democrats worried about splitting the vote under California’s top-two system and the possibility of Republicans advancing instead.
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Articles
VCVentura County Star3 months ago
California governor race gears up with March debate. How to watch
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner15 days ago
Steyer sinks $195 million into California campaign for marginal polling gains
Positive
UTUSA TODAY2 months ago
What time is California governor debate? See channels airing Tuesday
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
‘Bickering’ and blaming Trump dominate California gubernatorial debate
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising