Candidate for
City Council Member Council; City of San Diego; District 3

Councilmember Toni Atkins represents San Diego's third city council district. Diversity and older, urban neighborhoods characterize this district of unique communities where she is proud to spend her time and energy.

Toni Atkins was elected to the City Council in 2000 after spending seven years on the staff of Councilmember Christine Kehoe. Combining her experience in the District with her passion for creating real results for residents has allowed Councilmemberr Atkins to make remarkable progress in the District in just two years, and emerge as a leader on the Council.

Councilmember Atkins is best known for her commitment to revitalizing the District's older neighborhoods, providing more affordable housing, preserving Balboa Park and making communities safe for residents. Over the past two years, using a variety of funds and working with local, state and federal officials, she has allocated millions of dollars for projects and programs that will pave streets, fix sidewalks, install streetlights, plant trees and landscape medians. She tripled the number of miles of utility lines under-grounded in the District, and led the charge to push through the nation's first Housing State of Emergency. The District also has three new parks and improved facilities at others, thanks to her work.

Councilmember Atkins currently serves as the City's Deputy Mayor. She is a member of the Council's Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee (which she chaired in 2001 and 2002), and is the Vice Chair of the Council's Rules Committee. She represents the City of San Diego and chairs the Workforce Partnership board, serves on the Metropolitan Transit Development Board, the San Diego Association of Governments (SanDAG) Regional Housing Task Force, and the City-County Joint Homeless Task Force.

Councilmember Atkins has been recognized by groups throughout the country for her results and commitment. In 1997 she was named San Diego Lesbian & Gay Pride's "Woman of the Year." She has also received the San Diego Democratic Club's "Doug Scott Award for Political Action" and was recognized in 1998 by the Non-Profit Federation for Housing and Community Development (now the San Diego Housing Federation) for "Outstanding Achievement in Affordable Housing and Community Development." In 2001, Toni was presented with a Historic Preservation Award from the American Institute of Architects; the "Nobody Does It Better Award" by the Municipal Employees Association; and the Co-Presidents Award by the Tom Homann Law Association. She was also named one of San Diego Magazine's "50 People to Watch in 2001." Click here for a complete list of the awards Councilmember Atkins has received.

Councilmember Atkins is originally from Southwestern Virginia. She graduated from Emory & Henry College with a degree in political science with a focus on community organizing. A 17-year resident of Council District Three, she currently resides in South Park.