On Wednesday, the California Assembly's
Democratic Caucus selected Toni Atkins, an openly lesbian Democrat
from San Diego, to lead the chamber when legislators reconvene in the
spring. Democrats, who hold a majority in the chamber, do not need
GOP support to advance a candidate.
The 51-year-old Atkins, who was first
elected to the Assembly in 2010, will take over the post of speaker
currently occupied by Assemblyman John Perez of Los Angeles, whose
2010 ascension from first-term Assemblyman to the chamber's first
openly gay speaker was hailed as a victory by gay rights activists.
“Toni Atkins is an outstanding public
servant who has earned the honor of leading her colleagues in the
Assembly,” said
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory
Fund and Institute, which champions openly gay politicians. “In
the many years I've known her, Toni has always been focused on the
future, on what's possible. That quality will serve the people of
California well as she takes over as speaker, and it will inspire out
women everywhere to believe they can achieve great things as public
leaders in their own communities.”
Atkins served on the San Diego City
Council from 2000 to 2008 and acted as the city's mayor for 5 months
in 2005.