Press Releases

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Strategies, the state's leading government relations, public affairs, and campaign consulting firm, today announced that former Senate President pro Tempore and Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins has joined the firm as a Partner. 

 

With more than three decades of public service at the state and local levels, Sen. Atkins brings extensive experience in legislative leadership, policymaking at the highest levels, and coalition building. She served in the California State Senate from 2016 to 2024, including six years as Senate President pro Tempore, and in the State Assembly from 2010 to 2016, serving as Assembly Speaker from 2014 to 2016. She is the first openly LGBTQ person to lead the California State Senate.  She is also the first woman and only the third person in California history to lead both houses of the Legislature, a distinction no one has held in nearly 150 years.

 

"Toni Atkins is one of California's most accomplished and respected public servants, and we are thrilled to welcome her to California Strategies," said Bob White, CalStrat founder and chairman. "Her extraordinary record of leadership, ability to build consensus, and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our state will be tremendous assets to our clients. Toni brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of public service, further strengthening our firm's ability to deliver exceptional strategic counsel and client service."

 

"I am thrilled to join California Strategies and work alongside a team of professionals throughout California who share my commitment to making a positive impact in our state," said Toni Atkins. "Throughout my career, I have valued collaboration, thoughtful problem-solving, and building relationships that lead to meaningful results. I look forward to bringing that same approach to helping CalStrat's existing and future clients navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and achieve their goals."

 

Throughout her career, Sen. Atkins has championed affordable housing, environmental protection, healthcare, economic development, veterans' issues, women's rights, LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights, infrastructure, and efforts to address climate change. Her legislative accomplishments include authoring SB 2, which established a permanent funding source for affordable housing, and SB 9, which streamlined opportunities for additional residential development in single-family zones. 

 

Her leadership also included serving as one of California's "Big Three" budget negotiators during her tenure as both Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tempore, working alongside the Governor and fellow legislative leaders to shape multibillion-dollar state budgets, navigate complex fiscal challenges, balance competing priorities, and secure investments in education, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and other critical state programs.

 

In 2022, Atkins introduced the California Dream for All program to expand homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers. She also authored SB 1375, which expanded access to reproductive healthcare, and SCA 10, the constitutional amendment that led to Proposition 1, which protects reproductive freedom in the California Constitution.

 

As Senate President pro Tempore, she guided the Senate through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with the Governor's administration, legislative colleagues, and stakeholders to address emerging economic and public health challenges. As Assembly Speaker, she helped advance a $7.5 billion water bond and the creation of California's Earned Income Tax Credit.

 

Atkins began her public service career as an aide to San Diego City Councilmember Christine Kehoe and was elected to the San Diego City Council in 2000. She served for eight years, including a stint as interim mayor in 2005.

 

Atkins resides in San Diego's South Park community with her spouse, Jennifer, and their dogs, Joey and Mia.

 

About California Strategies

California Strategies is a premier full-service public affairs, government relations, and campaign consulting firm. With 10 regional offices across the state and a diverse team of experienced professionals, California Strategies delivers innovative solutions and winning strategies for clients in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

 

For more information on Toni G. Atkins or California Strategies, visit www.calstrat.com.