State Assemblywoman Toni Atkins
Assemblymember Toni Atkins was elected in November 2010 and represents the 76th Assembly District, which includes the central and northern San Diego communities of Clairemont, Bay Park, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Tierrasanta, Serra Mesa, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, South Park, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, City Heights, Old Town, Normal Heights, Mission Hills and Downtown San Diego.
Atkins previously served as a member of the San Diego City Council, a position she held from 2000-2008. During her tenure on the council, Ms. Atkins served as a member on a number of the council’s policy issue committees and as Acting Mayor in 2005 when the previous Mayor resigned. Prior to her election, Assemblymember Atkins also served as a staffer to former councilmember and now state senator, Christine Kehoe.
Assemblymember Atkins has battled for affordable housing throughout her public career, leading the charge to enact the nation’s first Housing State of Emergency in San Diego. She also worked to create the first inclusionary housing policy and secured $55 million in housing funds for the construction of new affordable housing units throughout San Diego.
Assemblymember Atkins’ other priorities include encouraging economic development, health care, and issues affecting veterans. Issues of concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have also been a high priority for Toni, as she represents the highest concentration of LGBT residents in San Diego.
Atkins serves on the Housing and Community Development Committee, of which she is vice-chair; as well as the Health, Judiciary, Veterans, and Government Organization Committees. She has also been appointed by the Assembly Speaker as the Assembly Majority Whip and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Homelessness.
Assemblymember Atkins is originally from southwestern Virginia and graduated from Emory & Henry College with a degree in political science with a focus on community organizing. In July 2004, she completed the senior executive program at the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Atkins currently lives in the South Park/Golden Hill community of San Diego with her spouse Jennifer LeSar, and their standard poodle, Haley.