California's Senate Leader Says He'll Step Down Next Year
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Los Angeles Democrat Kevin de Leon said Thursday that he will step aside as leader of the California Senate sometime next year after his successor is chosen.
De Leon was the first Latino in more than a century to lead a California legislative chamber. He is ramping up a campaign challenging U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat.
Democrats will choose state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego, a former Assembly speaker, to succeed de Leon. If formally elected by her colleagues, she would be the first woman to lead the Senate - a transfer of power that comes as the Legislature faces scrutiny over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
It's my honor to announce that my friend @toniatkins will make history and be our Senate's next President pro Tempore. I have every confidence she will lead America's most accomplished legislative chamber to even greater heights and build on our extraordinary progress. #CAleg https://t.co/N7w17AUIJF
— Kevin de Leόn (@kdeleon) December 7, 2017
The vote will be in January, but De Leon, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election, has not said when Atkins will officially take over as leader. Term-limited legislative leaders generally transfer power to their successor during their last year in office.
"For nearly four years, it's been a profound honor to lead a unified, progressive and collaborative California state Senate," de Leon said in his statement. "Together, we've put the public interest over individual ambitions and made enduring progress on behalf of millions of Californians."
Atkins said she would work to make California "a place of opportunity for everyone."
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.