Tony Atkins Briefly Became CA's First Out Governor

For a few brief hours Wednesday, California had its first openly gay governor.

California State Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D), who is gay, served as the state's governor for about 8 hours while those Democratic officials above her in the line of succession were traveling outside of the state. Atkins's turn in the governor's seat came as Gov. Jerry Brown departed for Mexico on Sunday to lead a trade mission. In his absence, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom served as acting governor, but Newsom left California Tuesday to attend an event for the Special Olympics. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg then served as acting governor until he left for Chicago Wednesday. In the hours between Steinberg's departure and Brown's return later on Wednesday, Atkins served as acting governor.

"I feel so grateful to fill the role as Acting Governor today," Atkins wrote on Facebook. "I wish my parents could see this. Now I know that may sound hokey to many. But honestly, this is what is going through my mind. If Governor Brown wants a few more days away I'm here for him!"

Atkins was elected speaker of the California State Assembly in March and assumed office in May, making her the first out lesbian to hold that position. Her predecessor as speaker, John Perez, was the first out gay man to lead the chamber. Atkins was born in Virginia and became the first out lesbian mayor of San Diego in 2005.

Although she was only in the role for a few hours, Atkins became the second out governor in the nation. New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey became the nation's first openly gay governor in 2004 when he revealed he is gay the same day he admitted to cheating on his wife and resigned from office. No openly gay person has ever been elected governor to a state, although Democrat Mike Michaud, who currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives and came out last November, is hoping to change that in Maine in his attempt to defeat Republican Gov. Paul LePage

"I recognize that my short time as acting governor will probably prove to be uneventful (and I hope it will be uneventful!). But I'm also thinking today about how a young girl who grew up in poverty in Virginia ends up as Speaker and therefore gets the opportunity to be Acting Governor," Atkins said in a statement to The Washington Post. "What that says about our opportunities as Americans and our democracy are profound. And I will continue to spend my time as a legislator in this great state ensuring that all California kids have access to that American Dream -- the California Dream -- by supporting access to health care, affordable housing and educational opportunities."