Toni Atkins will not become the first woman or the first woman LGBTQ+ California Governor in 2026 after announcing Monday that she had dropped out of the race.
Longtime state legislators, lesbians and Democrats, statement That she is ending a campaign to replace current Democratic government Gavin Newsom when his term ends next year. She said, “My campaign is over, but I will continue to fight for California’s future.”
“My intention was to bring real solutions from day one based on that progress and do a good job for people,” Atkins wrote.
“That’s why it’s such a heavy heart that I’m on the side today as a candidate for governor. Despite the strong support we have received and everything we have achieved, there is no viable path to victory.”
“Donald Trump and his allies are threatening everything we’ve worked for — stripping health care, cratering the economy, stripping basic rights and freedoms — we have to make sure that California has a Democratic governor leading the fight, and that means uniting as a Democrat.”
Atkins supported only 2% of the leading Democratic voters in the August poll. Emerson College. Former Democrat Katie Porter took the lead at 18%, while Republican Steve Hilton was the closest to her behind. While former Vice President Kamala Harris voted high, she recently announced she would not be in the race.
Atkins was elected to Congress in 2010 and became a speaker in 2014. She moved to the state senator in 2016, becoming President Protempore in 2018, becoming the first lesbian to lead either Congress or Senator, leading only the third legislator who held both posts. She reached term limits in the state Senate at the end of 2024. She said before Supporters “I’ve enjoyed 30 years of public service and am not ready to step back,” after announcing a bid for the governor.
“Thank you for all those who have supported this campaign for the past 20 months, whether you call, tip, show up, or simply share words of kindness. … You were at the heart of this campaign.” “And that’s not what we’ve built together while this chapter closes. Our work continues with every community, every conversation, and every act of courage and hope.”
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
