California’s Senate gets a new leader after Democrats on Monday named a North Coast legislator as the next House of Representatives president, marking a transition in the House.

Legislative power

top ranks of leaders who represent

urban population centers

Unpleasant

rising

power for politicians from largely rural districts.

Senator Mike McGuire (Healdsburg, D) will take over from Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (San Diego, D) at a date yet to be determined in 2024, according to a statement from the two leaders. The Senate transition comes after a busy weekend of political wrangling over the succession.

McGuire, 44, solidified his position with the support of Atkins, who will step down next year.

I am confident that this will be a seamless transition, and that Senator McGuire will continue to lead the Senate and California on a path of success,” Atkins said in a statement.

issued

Monday evening.

McGuire praised Atkins as “one of the most effective and thoughtful leaders of our time.”

“Words are not enough to express the magnitude of my gratitude, honor and humility for being chosen by our united caucus to lead the California State Senate,” McGuire said in a statement. “Together, we will meet the challenges ahead with grace, courage and determination. We will never stop fighting to make the promise of the Golden State a reality for every Californian.

The change represents a second realignment of power in the legislature this year and, as a result, a diminished role for Southern California legislators. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) replaced Lakewood MP Anthony Rendon as leader of the lower house this summer.

A native of California, McGuire is known in Sacramento for his work on wildfires and the environment, important issues for his constituents in a district that encompasses much of the Northern California coast, from Del Norte County to the border with Oregon up to Marin County.

Speaking out in 2026, McGuire has been an outspoken critic of Pacific Gas & Electric, calling out the company for failing to maintain its equipment, failing to reduce vegetation around power lines and causing wildfires. As a confidant and

No. 2

According to Atkins, McGuire was heavily involved in landing policy agreements between the governor, Senate and Assembly on this year’s infrastructure plan and last year’s climate package.

“He was able to exert influence. He was able to determine how things ultimately look when it comes to legislation,” said David McCuan, chairman of Sonoma State’s department of political science. “Mike sees himself as a negotiator and dealmaker.”

Atkins has led the Senate since 2018, when she was sworn in as the first female and openly LGBTQ+ president by tem in state history. she

was appointed chairman p

red Speaker of the Senate two years after serving as Speaker of the General Assembly, becoming the first legislator to hold both leadership posts since 1871.

Atkins grew up in poverty in rural southwestern Virginia, the daughter of a

coal

miner and a seamstress. Her upbringing motivates her work in the legislature, where she advocates for women and families, focusing on housing, affordability, reproductive freedom and environmental protection.

The president by tem, who

is

among a gaggle of politicians regarded as future gubernatorial candidates, committee chairmen were given autonomy but also led the Senate with a firm hand. She guided the House of Lords through the former governor’s final year. Jerry Brown’s governorship and maintained a professional working relationship with Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite tensions between Democrats over the governor’s approach to policymaking.

She has been at the helm of the Senate during a tumultuous time in state history, including the #MeToo movement, a

anti-vaccine proponent throwing menstrual blood on the Senate floor

, the Donald Trump era and the COVID-19 pandemic. TK ATKINS QUOTE FROM PRESSER

McGuire began his political career on the Healdsburg school board at the age of 19. He was elected to the Healdsburg City Council in 2004, becoming the city’s youngest mayor. He joined the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2010 and was elected to the Senate in 2014.

He works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen in these jobs and he’s proven himself time and time again,” said Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), a friend and colleague of McGuire’s.

While his ascension brings new power to the North Coast, becoming a speaker is often about timing and interpersonal relationships, says Andrew Acosta, a Democratic adviser.

Considering he will be stepping down from the Senate in 2026, McGuire’s tenure is expected to be short and bridge the gap between Atkins and those following him.

“It’s probably more about the timing than the location,” Acosta said. “And if the case is, ‘Hey, I’ll be the transition officer for a few years and then someone else can put it together,’ I see people say, ‘Yeah, that works for me.’ ”

McGuire will take the helm at a challenging time, both economically and politically. California lawmakers were forced to trim their wish lists this year in the face of a $32 billion budget deficit.

a downward trend

some analysts suggest that it will

Get on

the coming years.

The result of the 2024 presidential election will see lawmakers in California take on the role of cheerleaders during Biden’s second term, or act as a counterweight to Republican rule in Washington. Also the supermajority of the Democrats in the state legislature

means leaders face

requirements and needs of

more

members of the caucus, who must remain happy to stay in power.

McCuan described McGuire as both incredibly hardworking and a

people fun.

But Dodd said that over the years as majority leader, McGuire had no problem saying no.

“He’s capable of delivering bad news or saying no to all of us,” Dodd said. “I’ve been told no many times by Senator McGuire.”

McGuire has his sights set on a candidate for insurance commissioner in 2026. He raised over $240,000 for the campaign from January through June.