Michael E. Gates

Candidate for Attorney General

Michael E. Gates is a Republican lawyer from Huntington Beach. He is running for state Attorney General. The Democratic incumbent, Rob Bonta, is his opponent. The election is November 3, 2026. His campaign biography says he grew up in Huntington Beach. He earned a B.S. from Pepperdine University. He earned a law degree from Chapman University. Chapman's alumni magazine lists him in the Class of 2008. He worked in private practice as a civil trial lawyer. He became a partner at an Orange County firm. Its clients included the County of Orange and the county sheriff's office. In November 2014 he was elected Huntington Beach City Attorney. He won again in 2018 and 2022. He served about a decade. He launched a city prosecutor program, announced in 2016. He sued over state policies, including housing mandates. His campaign says his office protected over $300 million in taxpayer funds. That includes a claimed $38 million trial win against the state in 2023. These figures come from his campaign. In February 2025 he joined the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights office. His title was deputy assistant attorney general. He left after about ten months, in November 2025. He went back to Huntington Beach as chief assistant city attorney. He holds that job during this campaign. News coverage says his campaign stresses policing, local control, parents' rights, and ending state lawsuits against the federal government. In the June 2, 2026 primary he finished second of three candidates with 37.94%. Bonta had 56.62%. He has campaigned with Steve Hilton, who calls Gates a longtime friend and part of his ticket. Age: not confirmed. Home: Huntington Beach area. Occupation: lawyer; chief assistant city attorney since November 2025. Prior office: elected Huntington Beach City Attorney (2014-February 2025). Not an incumbent in this contest.

Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.