Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Associated Press reports:
The leader of the California Senate on Friday said she would run for governor in 2026, entering a campaign that is far from the minds of voters but is quickly filling with candidates in a state that requires frequent fundraising to compete in some of the nation’s most expensive media markets. Toni Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego, made history as only the third person and the first woman to hold both of the state Legislature’s top jobs — speaker of the Assembly and president pro tempore of the Senate.
California, despite its progressive reputation, has never had a woman or an openly LGBTQ governor. Atkins, who is a lesbian, could be both. But she’ll have to compete against a strong field of Democrats, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Controller Betty Yee and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. Attorney General Rob Bonta is also considering a run to succeed current Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek a third term.
Read the full article. Colorado, Massachusetts, and Oregon currently have openly gay governors. The nation’s first such governor, New Jersey’s Jim McGreevy, was forced out in a scandal after being elected.
California Senate leader Toni Atkins has announced her run for governor in 2026. If elected, Atkins would be the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to hold the position. https://t.co/RNVvz6Wa0C
— NBC Out (@NBCOUT) January 20, 2024