Lesbian CA gov candidate Atkins suspends campaign

Lesbian former legislative leader Toni Atkins has suspended her campaign to be elected California governor. She had been vying to become the first woman and first LGBTQ leader to lead the Golden State but had failed to gain traction amid the crowded, and still growing, field of gubernatorial candidates.

Atkins, who missed a gubernatorial debate Sunday citing illness, made the decision to drop out of the 2026 race over the weekend, according to her campaign. She announced her withdrawal “with a heavy heart” to supporters in an email Monday afternoon.

“Despite the strong support we’ve received and all we’ve achieved, there is simply no viable path forward to victory. Though my campaign is ending, I will keep fighting for California’s future,” wrote Atkins, 63, a former San Diego city councilmember and interim mayor.

The out Democratic leader had gone on to break through several political ceilings in the state Legislature, first in the Assembly and then the Senate. She was the first out woman to serve as Assembly speaker and Senate president pro tempore and, in so doing, became the first person to lead both chambers.

Just last month, a number of her former LGBTQ colleagues in Sacramento had personally endorsed her campaign. And the 14-member Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, made up of just Democratic legislators, had also backed Atkins’ candidacy.

“I entered this race because I still believe in the promise of California – and I’ve spent my life trying to fulfill that promise for more Californians. From my time on the San Diego City Council and as Acting Mayor, to serving as Speaker of the Assembly, and later leading the State Senate, we’ve gotten a lot done,” noted Atkins. “My intention was to build on that progress, to bring real solutions from day one, and to do good work for the people. That’s why it’s with such a heavy heart that I’m stepping aside today as a candidate for governor.”

The LGBTQ caucus issued a statement late Monday.

“Toni Atkins’ run in this race is only the latest chapter in a career defined by trustworthy service and lifting up others – a legacy that will continue to shape California for generations to come,” the caucus stated. “As the first openly LGBTQ+ individual and woman to lead both houses of our State Legislature, and as a proud member of our Caucus, Toni has shattered barriers once thought unbreakable and led with compassion, courage, and conviction. We were proud to support her campaign for governor because it was more than a candidacy – it was a powerful testament to how far our community has come and a beacon for what is possible. We are deeply grateful for her courage to run, and decades of service and unwavering commitment to justice and equity. We know her leadership will continue to shape a brighter, fairer, and more secure future for all Californians.”

Atkins’ decision is hardly a surprise, as the Bay Area Reporter’s online Political Notes column in August had reported how Atkins was battling perceptions her bid was a lost cause. Various headlines in recent months had played up former congressmember Katie Porter, a Democrat from Orange County, as the one to beat in the race.

Atkins reported raising less money during the first half of the year than Porter and Democratic former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had netted for their gubernatorial bids. And she remained in the bottom of polling in the race, with Emerson College Polling this month showing her at 1.4% of support in the governor’s race.

In that poll, Porter was at nearly 16%, with Republicans Steve Hilton in second at 9.9% and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 7.9%. The next Democrat with the highest polling was former U.S. health and human services secretary Xavier Becerra with 4.8% and Villaraigosa garnering 3.8%.

Former state controller Betty Yee, a San Francisco native who is popular among Bay Area LGBTQ leaders, netted 3% in the poll. But those undecided about the race stood at close to 38% in the poll.

Last week, Democratic former majority leader in the Assembly, Ian Calderon of Whittier, jumped into the race, while talk has built that U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-California) could also enter the contest. Under the state’s open primary system, the top two vote-getters regardless of party will advance out of the June 2 primary to the fall ballot next year.

During a recent editorial board meeting with the B.A.R., Atkins addressed the constant second-guessing of her chances and reports about other Democrats being encouraged to enter the race.

“It can be frustrating, but, you know, I've been in this position most of my life. No one expected me to be here,” said Atkins. “You know, when I say, and I've said it more than once, I could never have imagined, you know, this lesbian kid, too gay, too country, too poor, I could have never imagined that I would have the opportunities I've had in California.”

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited from running again next year, as is Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who dropped her own gubernatorial bid and is now running for state treasurer. Seeking to succeed her is Janelle Kellman, a gay woman who served on the Sausalito City Council but, like Atkins, has struggled to breakthrough in her statewide contest.

Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, has yet to endorse in either the governor’s or lieutenant governor’s races. In a statement to the B.A.R., EQCA Executive Director Tony Hoang, a gay man, praised Atkins for her storied political career to date.

“Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins has been a trailblazer for California and for LGBTQ+ people – leading with integrity, mindfulness, and heart,” he stated. “We’re grateful for her decades of service and steady leadership, and we know she will continue to be a powerful voice for equality, working families, and our democracy. As this race moves forward and we begin our endorsement process, Equality California remains focused on protecting our community and ensuring California continues to lead.”

Currently, the only West Coast state to be led by an out governor is Oregon, where lesbian incumbent Tina Kotek is seeking a second term in 2026. She had endorsed Atkins’ gubernatorial bid this summer.

As for Atkins, she did not disclose whom she would be endorsing to be California’s next governor in her September 29 email to supporters, nor say if she would enter a down-ticket race on the 2026 ballot. But due to the policies of the Republican Trump administration, Atkins said it is imperative one of the Democratic candidates succeeds Newsom.

“With Donald Trump and his allies threatening everything we’ve worked for – gutting health care, cratering our economy, and stripping away fundamental rights and freedoms – we’ve got to make sure California has a Democratic governor leading the fight, and that means uniting as Democrats,” wrote Atkins.

Updated, 9/30/25: This article has been updated with a statement from the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.