California Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has officially announced her candidacy for the state's gubernatorial race in 2026. Atkins, who has made history as the first woman to hold both of the state Legislature’s top jobs — speaker of the Assembly and president pro tempore of the Senate — filed her statement of intention and launched her campaign. The race for governor is already heating up with several candidates vying for endorsements. If elected, Atkins would be the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve as governor of California.
California Senate leader Toni Atkins has announced a run for governor in 2026. If elected, Atkins would be the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to hold the position in the state. https://t.co/TB7hCX71OX
California Senate leader Toni Atkins announces run for governor in 2026. https://t.co/mzKXkzRC6m Click the image to read more:
Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) made history as only the third person and the first woman to hold both of the state Legislature’s top jobs — speaker of the Assembly and president pro tempore of the Senate. https://t.co/ihQoKtr4mG
She’s already led California’s Senate & Assembly…now Toni Atkins wants to be California’s next Governor. https://t.co/GV9LkYXHYS
California Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins announced in San Diego she will seek the governor's seat in 2026 after current Gov. Gavin Newsom hits a term limit. https://t.co/V4JX04wKb7
California Senate Leader Toni Atkins Announces Run for Governor in 2026 https://t.co/KZ9JHT2QYM
The leader of the California Senate says she will run for governor in 2026. https://t.co/Y37gzMgOzQ
California Senate leader Toni Atkins announced she will run for governor in 2026, entering a campaign that is far from the minds of voters but is quickly filling with candidates. https://t.co/Hnfe2AMnAd
It's official. In California, where a woman has never been elected governor, a third, high-ranking official jumps into the race. CA's Senate Leader and LGBTQ trailblazer @toniatkins launched her campaign this morning. https://t.co/o5FikiL1lx
Spotted in the crowd at @toniatkins' gubernatorial campaign kickoff: Senate colleague @SusanEggman. There's been an early arms race for legislative endorsements. @EleniForCA rolled out 16 more of them earlier this week.
California Senate leader aims to be the state's first woman and LGBTQ+ governor https://t.co/b5RGspN9Cn
YouTube livestream photo appears to make Toni Atkins run for CA Governor official https://t.co/buWwPpvC4Y
NEWS: Here comes another contender for the 2026 CA Gov field. State Senate leader Toni Atkins launches her long-expected bid today https://t.co/oXVhXFB1Jm
Toni Atkins, California's Senate leader, files paperwork to run for governor in 2026 | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/olo6cpsh4h
NEW CAL-ACCESS 2026 GOV FILING ATKINS FOR GOVERNOR 2026; TONI https://t.co/pTi3GWDdwi https://t.co/wbxhokh9Nt
JUST IN: State Senator @toniatkins has filed a statement of intention to run for California Governor in 2026. https://t.co/fy9CoOaxNG