Toni Atkins, leader of the California Senate and the first woman and openly gay person to hold the position, announced her plans to step down from her leadership role on Monday. The Democrat from San Diego, who made history with her role, will be succeeded by Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat from the state’s North Coast region.
The announcement was made during a news conference, with most of the Senate Democratic Caucus standing behind Atkins. This show of unity starkly contrasts the leadership battle that shook the state Assembly last year.
Atkins, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits, must leave the Senate at the end of next year. She expressed that a long, drawn-out successor campaign would not be in the best interest of the Senate nor the constituents they represent.
As one of the most powerful positions in state politics, the leader of the California Senate acts as the chief negotiator with the governor and the Assembly speaker on key legislation and the state’s more than $300 billion annual operating budget.
McGuire, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, has been a vocal critic of Pacific Gas & Electric. He’s also known for his 2019 legislation requiring presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns as a condition of appearing on the California ballot, a direct challenge to former Republican President Donald Trump.
Once Atkins steps down, McGuire will continue focusing on climate issues, housing, and access to abortion. However, he made it clear that Atkins remains the single leader of the California state Senate for the time being.
This leadership transition marks a shift in the Legislature, with both leaders representing mostly rural parts of California, a shift from the traditionally concentrated political power in urban areas of Southern California and the San Francisco Bay.