For immediate release: January 28, 2016

Media contact:
Laura Fink

858-504-3465

California Nurses Association Endorses

Toni Atkins for State Senate
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing more
than 86,000 members, today announced their support of Toni Atkins, Speaker of the Assembly,
for the 39th State Senate District. Atkins, the first Speaker from San Diego and only the third
woman to hold the position, is challenging incumbent Marty Block.
The California Nurses Association supports Toni Atkins because she puts the health of the people
first, and began her career as a womens health clinic leader and advocate, said CNA RN CoPresident, Malinda Markowitz. Toni is a champion of health care for all and shows the
effectiveness and leadership California needs from its State Senators. And nurses know they can
count on Toni Atkins to stand up to the for-profit healthcare interests in the fight to make sure
ALL San Diegans and Californians have quality health care, Markowitz continued.
Im honored to be supported by the California Nurses Association, and look forward to
continuing our efforts to ensure quality health care for ALL, Atkins said. Earning the support of
the nurses is very personal to me. My sister is a nurse, and so was my mother-in-law. Ive seen
first hand their commitment to patients and the nursing profession -- the same commitment the
nurses showed when I worked at the community clinics, she continued. You can bet that I will
be sharing this big endorsement with my constituents and voters.
The California Nurses Association joins a growing list of organizations and leaders supporting
Atkins for Senate. Atkins is dominating the field in earning local endorsements, and is supported
by San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore; former State Senators Christine Kehoe, Denise Ducheny, Dede
Alpert and Lucy Killea; Assemblymember Shirley Weber; San Diego City Council President
Sherri Lighter and Councilmembers Todd Gloria, Myrtle Cole and David Alvarez; Solana Beach
Mayor Lesa Heebner, and San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis among many others.
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Paid for By Atkins for Senate 2016
2358 University Ave. PMB 283 San Diego, CA 92104