Toni Atkins

Toni Atkins
Name	Toni Atkins
Office	President pro tempore of the California State Senate
Term start	March 21, 2018
Term end	March 1, 2024
Predecessor	Kevin de León
Office1	Member of the California State Senate
Term start1	December 5, 2016
Term end1	March 1, 2024
Predecessor1	Christine Kehoe
Office2	76th Speaker of the California State Assembly
Term start2	February 13, 2014
Term end2	August 31, 2016
Predecessor2	John Pérez
Successor2	Kevin Mullin
Office3	Member of the California State Assembly
Term start3	December 6, 2010
Term end3	August 31, 2016
Predecessor3	Lori Saldaña
Successor3	Lorena Gonzalez
Office4	Member of the San Diego City Council from the 3rd district
Term start4	December 10, 2008
Term end4	December 6, 2010
Predecessor4	Toni Atkins (interim)
Successor4	Todd Gloria
Birth date	April 1, 1962
Birth place	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Jennifer LeSar
Education	California State University, Sacramento (B.A.)

Toni Atkins is an American politician and Democratic Party leader who served as President pro tempore of the California State Senate and as Speaker of the California State Assembly. She represented districts in San Diego County, crafting legislation on public health, transportation, and housing while prioritizing progressive policy and coalition-building. Atkins is noted for being among the first openly lesbian leaders in a state legislature and for her roles in local San Diego governance and statewide legislative leadership.

Early life and education

Atkins was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to Southern California. She attended California State University, Sacramento, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in political science and became involved with campus activism and local Democratic Party organizations. Her educational background connected her to networks in California State University system and civic groups active in San Diego and Sacramento politics.

Early career and activism

Before elected office, Atkins worked in the nonprofit and public affairs sectors, including roles with Planned Parenthood, community health programs, and labor organizations. She served on advisory bodies and local commissions, collaborating with groups such as the San Diego LGBT Community Center, AIDS Walk San Diego, and regional housing coalitions. Her activism included advocacy on reproductive rights, healthcare access, and LGBT rights, aligning her with statewide movements and organizations like the California LGBT Legislative Caucus and labor unions in California.

San Diego City Council and mayorship

Atkins was first appointed to the San Diego City Council representing District 3 and later won election to a full term. During her council tenure she chaired committees addressing tourism, public safety, and infrastructure, working with entities such as the Port of San Diego, San Diego Unified Port District, and regional transportation agencies. Atkins also served as interim Mayor of San Diego following a city leadership transition, coordinating with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and city departments on emergency response, budget matters, and urban planning.

California State Assembly

Elected to the California State Assembly in 2010, Atkins represented a San Diego-area district and rose to become Assembly Majority Leader before being elected Speaker in 2014. As Speaker she managed legislative priorities, budget negotiations with the Governor of California, and committee assignments, collaborating with members of the California State Legislature, the California Legislative Black Caucus, and the Latino Legislative Caucus. Her speakership emphasized healthcare expansion, transportation funding, and worker protections, interacting with statewide partners including the California Teachers Association and Service Employees International Union.

California State Senate and leadership

In 2016 Atkins won election to the California State Senate, representing a district encompassing parts of San Diego County and coastal communities. She was elected President pro tempore in 2018, becoming the first woman and first openly lesbian senator to hold that post in California history. In that leadership role Atkins guided floor strategy, budget deliberations with the Legislative Analyst's Office and the California Department of Finance, and coalition-building among Senate Democrats, liaising with the State Assembly leadership and the Office of the Governor on major legislation.

Political positions and legislative accomplishments

Atkins’ legislative portfolio includes bills and budget measures addressing healthcare, homelessness, transportation, and housing. She sponsored or supported measures expanding access to reproductive services and public health initiatives, working with agencies like the California Department of Public Health and advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. On housing and homelessness she backed funding for affordable housing programs and regional planning efforts involving the San Diego Association of Governments and the California Housing Finance Agency. In transportation she advanced transit funding linked to agencies including Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transit System. Atkins also authored or supported legislation on labor protections and paid leave, coordinated with unions such as the California Federation of Labor and national partners like the AFL–CIO.

Personal life and honors

Atkins is openly lesbian and married to Jennifer LeSar; she has been recognized by LGBT organizations and civic groups for leadership and public service. Honors include awards from local nonprofit organizations, recognition by statewide advocacy groups, and acknowledgment from institutions such as San Diego State University and community foundations. Her career has been cited in profiles by regional media outlets and she has served on boards and advisory panels related to public policy, healthcare, and urban development.

Category:California state senators Category:Speakers of the California State Assembly Category:California Democrats