The next leader of the California Senate was selected on Monday, replacing the body’s longtime president pro tempore for the first time in more than five years.
California state Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg will succeed Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego, following a two-hour closed-door meeting among Democrats, who voted unanimously to elect the north coast representative.
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In the final weeks of the legislative session, McGuire and Atkins said they were unified on the transition of leadership, with the new leader telling the press they would collaborate “to finish out the important work that we’ve all fought so hard for this year.”
“The pro tem and I, we are unified in our transition,” McGuire said. “And we can make this promise to each and every one of you. The next three weeks, getting these bills off the floor and into the governor’s desk is going to be smooth, successful, and focused on the success of the Golden State.”
He squeezed out other candidates, including state Sens. Monique Limon of Santa Barbara, John Laird of Santa Cruz, Steve Padilla of San Diego, and Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles, Politico reported.
Atkins said she chose to announce the transition of power now rather than drag out a long Senate presidential campaign that would interfere with the numerous bills that needed to be tackled before the session ends in September.
“We have a lot of work to get through in the next few weeks,” Atkins said. “This work does not mix well with internal caucus politics being at the top of everyone’s minds.”
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Atkins, who terms out next year, became the first woman and first openly gay person to lead the chamber in California when she was sworn in as president pro tempore in 2018. Prior to her most recent role, Atkins was the speaker of the state assembly from 2014 to 2016.
McGuire is term-limited in 2026, meaning his tenure will last around two years. He was elected to the Senate in 2014 and served as the mayor of Healdsburg.