California’s Senate Leader Says He’ll Step Down Next Year

SACRAMENTO (AP) – Los Angeles Democrat Kevin de Leon said Thursday that he will step aside as leader of the California Senate sometime next year after his successor is chosen.
De Leon was the first Latino in more than a century to lead a California legislative chamber. He is ramping up a campaign challenging U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat.
Democrats will choose state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego, a former Assembly speaker, to succeed de Leon. If formally elected by her coll