A longtime local and state politician from San Diego has formally announced her candidacy for governor of California in the 2026 election.
Toni Atkins, currently the head of the California Senate, began her political career serving as a member of the San Diego City Council before winning an election to the State Assembly in 2010 and then to the State Senate in 2016 and then becoming president pro tempore.
If Atkins were to win in 2026, she would become the first openly gay governor in
California and the first-ever female governor.
(Photo local reporting partner 10News)