State Sen. Toni Atkins.
State Sen. Toni Atkins. Photo by Chris Stone

Toni G. Atkins of San Diego was selected Tuesday by her follow Democrats to lead the state Senate as president pro tempore.

The Democratic Caucus voted unanimously to name Atkins the top leader of the Legislature’s upper house. The body is scheduled to formally elect Atkins on March 21, at which point she will take over from the Senate’s current leader, Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, according to his office.

This is the first time the Senate will be led by a woman, de Leon said.

Atkins said she was “honored and profoundly humbled by the trust placed in me today by my esteemed colleagues.

“Leading this great State Senate and our united and always productive caucus at this crucial moment in history is an extraordinary opportunity and a great responsibility — and I believe every senator has a vital role in building a brighter future for the Californians we represent.”

The president pro tempore oversees appointment of committee members, assignment of bills, confirmation of gubernatorial appointees and overall policy direction.

Atkins served on the San Diego City Council before she was elected to the state Assembly in 2010, where she served as speaker. She was elected to the Senate in 2016.

— City News Service