Assemblymember 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.

Additionally, Assemblymember Atkins considers legislative reform another top priority, having worked for financial reform and transparent budgeting as chair of San Diego’s Budget and Finance Committee. Under her leadership, the budget process was reformed to provide San Diego residents with an increased level of information about how the city spent its money while protecting the public’s right to participate in decisions about possible cuts to programming and services.

Along with reform and affordable housing, Assemblymember Atkins’other priorities include encouraging economic development, improving the state’s educational standards and ensuring California residents with public safety. Issues of concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have also been a high priority for Toni, as she represented the highest concentration of LGBT residents in San Diego as a councilmember.

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.

A 25-year resident of San Diego, Atkins currently resides in South Park/Golden Hill with her spouse Jennifer, and their standard poodle, Haley.

Visit Assemblymember Toni Atkins' website: http://asmdc.org/members/a76/