Emerson College
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Democrat
Toni Atkins
California Governor winner?
$46.3M
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 (Virginia)
Notable personal detailsToni Gayle Atkins is an American 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 also served on the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008, including a period as acting mayor in 2005. She is a graduate of Emory & Henry College in Virginia and has worked in health services administration and public service.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgtoniatkins.orggov.ca.govcalmatters.orgarchive.senate.ca.goves.wikipedia.orgpoliticiancompare.comm.wikidata.orgjoincalifornia.comru.ruwiki.rulatimes.comcongress.govstatehornet.comsdchamber.orgwomenscaucus.legislature.ca.govaclusocal.orgarxiv.orgclerk.assembly.ca.govfoxla.comkpbs.orgtimesofsandiego.comaclucalaction.orgaclu-sdic.orgcaliforniaglobe.comyubanet.comenvirovoters.orgscorecard.ecovote.orgforbes.comjustfacts.votesmart.orggvwire.comapnews.comcbsnews.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.comncsl.orgscottpeters.house.govballotready.orghistory.house.govsenate.govgovinfo.govrepublicans-science.house.govnga.orgfec.govwhitehouse.govdocquery.fec.govdocs.house.govvotesmart.org
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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Toni Atkins is in the news as one of several Democrats still in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race as the filing deadline approaches. State Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has publicly urged lower-polling Democrats to reassess their viability and potentially drop out to avoid splitting the vote under the top-two primary system. The warnings are driven by concern that two Republicans could advance to November if Democratic support remains fragmented, a scenario also highlighted by a recent simulation that put the odds at 12%.
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Articles
UNU.S. News & World Report3 months ago
Top California Democrat Flops With Call for Candidates to Exit Governor's Race
Neutral
UNU.S. News & World Report3 months ago
Fearing GOP Upset, Top California Democrat Urges Lagging Candidates for Governor to Drop Out of Race
Neutral
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
Can't win in primary election? Drop out, California Democrats say
Neutral
CNCBS News4 months ago
California governor's race simulator shows 2 Republicans likely advancing through primary
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising