Democrat Toni Atkins drops out of crowded race to replace Gavin Newsom

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By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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October 1, 2025 (Sacramento) - Democrat Toni Atkins is dropping out of the crowded 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as California governor, she announced Monday. 

Atkins, the former Senate president, wrote in an email to supporters that she was leaving the race with a “heavy heart” but that “there is simply no viable path forward to victory.” She made the call after failing to poll at higher than single digits, according to a person familiar with the campaign, and does not plan to run for another office in this election cycle.

Atkins launched her campaign more than a year ago in what has become an open field since former Vice President Kamala Harris declined to run this summer. Another early entrant to the race, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, also dropped out in August to run for state treasurer instead.
 
Newsom terms out next year. At least six other Democrats are running to replace him, including former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The field could still change, with Sen. Alex Padilla also reportedly considering a run.
 
Atkins had more than $4.2 million in her campaign account this summer, more than any of the other Democratic candidates, had the support of several allies in the Legislature and held a series of town halls throughout the state in August. 
 
But Atkins faced steep odds in name recognition having never run for statewide office before. She came in third last in an August Politico poll, with just 4% of voters picking her among the Democrats. Leading the pack was Porter with 21% of voters. On Sunday, Atkins did not appear at a Los Angeles candidate forum, reportedly citing illness. 
 
Atkins supported publicly funded universal health care and was a prominent advocate in the Legislature for increasing housing construction. She would have been the first openly LGBTQ governor in a field of other history-making Democratic candidates.
 
On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton are vying for the seat. 
 

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Comments

Toni Would Have Made a GREAT GOVERNOR

Submitted by on

Hi: Just extremely sorry that Toni withdrew from the race. I have followed her for a long time and would have been more than happy to vote for her.

you maybe correct

Submitted by on

but she has too many skeletons, Potential conflict of interest involving her spouse Spouse's business: Atkins's spouse, Jennifer LeSar, is the CEO of the Global Policy Leadership Academy and has a consulting business focused on affordable housing. The firm's clients include local governments and organizations that lobby the state. Concerns over influence: When Atkins was in the legislature, her spouse's business grew significantly, raising questions about whether Atkins's political position aided her spouse's ventures. This concern gained prominence during Atkins's now-ended 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Lack of action: While other candidates committed to placing assets in a blind trust to avoid similar conflicts, Atkins's campaign did not. Due to California's community property law, Atkins receives income from her spouse's business, which critics argue created a potential conflict of interest.

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