State Senate picks female leader amid misconduct probes

SACRAMENTO — San Diego Sen. Toni Atkins was tapped Thursday by fellow state Senate Democrats to replace Kevin de Leon and become the chamber’s first female leader amid scrutiny over the Legislature’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations.

De Leon, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, announced Atkins as his successor but did not say when it will happen next year. Atkins will need to be elected by senators but that’s perfunctory since Democrats have 27 of 40 seats.

Term-limited legislative leaders often 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.

Atkins said she would work to make California “a place of opportunity for everyone.”

Putting a woman in charge could boost Democrats’ credibility in handling a burgeoning sexual misconduct scandal in the Capitol, said Kim Nalder, director of the Project for an Informed Electorate at California State University, Sacramento. The Legislature, though, faces accusations of a pervasive culture of harassment dating back years, including when Atkins led the Assembly.

“Whether she was policing this properly in her previous leadership role or not, she will absolutely have the pressure to do so this time around,” Nalder said.