Former Senator Toni Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego, has withdrawn from the race for California Governor in 2026.
Reflecting on her upbringing in rural Virginia, Atkins often felt “too poor and too gay.” After establishing herself on the West Coast, she dedicated years to the “California Promise,” aiming to expand opportunities for future generations.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step back as a candidate for governor,” Atkins stated. “Even with the robust support we received and our accomplishments, the path to victory isn’t viable.”
Atkins began her political journey as a City Council member in San Diego after working as a women’s clinic administrator. She made history as the first LGBTQ+ individual to serve as pro tem of the Senate, the highest role in the California Senate. She also held the title of chairman in the state legislature, becoming the first person since 1871 to occupy both top leadership positions.
In Sacramento, Atkins advocated for affordable housing and reproductive rights, notably authoring the law that led to Proposition 1 in 2022, which reaffirmed abortion rights in California after federal protections were rescinded by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We’re on the brink of disrupting health care, risking our economy, and undermining our fundamental rights and freedoms,” Atkins told her supporters on Monday.
In California’s nonpartisan election system, the top two candidates, irrespective of party, move on to the general election. This setup could fragment votes on the left among multiple Democratic contenders, potentially allowing one of the well-known Republican candidates to secure a more favorable path to the November election.
Atkins garnered millions in donations after entering the governor’s race in January 2024, ending the year with $4.3 million, a figure that outpaced most rivals. However, more recent funding reports indicate her support lagged behind that of candidates like former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former State Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who was appointed by Biden.
Although recognized in political circles, Atkins’s name isn’t widely known among the general public. A UC Berkeley poll co-hosted by The Times recently indicated her support was in the single digits.
As the primary approaches in nine months, the candidate landscape remains fluid, with many voters undecided.
At the end of July, a significant development occurred when former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she would not be running. Shortly after, Eleni Kounalakis, an ally of Harris, also dropped her bid for governor, opting instead to campaign for state treasurer.
Some polls suggest Porter, who recently left Congress, is gearing up as a strong contender.
Last week, lobbyist and former state legislative leader Ian Calderon, 39, launched his campaign for governor, promoting the idea of “new generation leadership.” Calderon made history as the first millennial elected to the state legislature and the youngest majority leader in California’s history. Coming from a political family in southeastern Los Angeles County, he has been influential in Sacramento for years.
Despite some controversies in his family—two of his uncles serving prison sentences for a bribery scheme—Calderon himself has not faced accusations of wrongdoing.
