"Sen. Toni Atkins Launches Historic Bid for California Governor"
San Diego's Democratic state Senate leader Toni Atkins is expected to announce her bid for governor, with a scheduled "major announcement" on Friday, joining other Democratic candidates to succeed termed out Gavin Newsom. Atkins, who has risen through city politics and filed paperwork to raise money for the 2026 gubernatorial bid, emphasized her experience in policy and budget work. She has received praise and has been actively fundraising, with her announcement anticipated to take place in San Diego's Balboa Park.