Statewide · General election
Attorney General of California
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
On the ballot
2 certified candidates, listed alphabetically by last name.
Rob BontaIncumbent
California's Attorney General since 2021 and the first Filipino American in the job. He served in the state Assembly for the East Bay from 2012 to 2021. He seeks a second full term in November.
Full profile →Michael E. Gates
Served as Huntington Beach's elected city attorney from 2014 to 2025. He then spent ten months at the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights office before returning briefly to the city as chief assistant city attorney.
Full profile →
Where they stand
Topic by topic, from each candidate’s own statements and public records.
Economy & Jobs
- Bonta says he protects people from being cheated by big companies.
“taking legal action against multi-national corporations who prey upon the most vulnerable.”
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No published position on this topic.
Housing & Homelessness
- Uses the Attorney General's office to enforce tenant protections and treat the housing shortage as a crisis.
“California is facing a housing shortage and affordability crisis of epic proportion”
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- Gates wants to enforce laws against camping and open drug use, paired with treatment for addiction and mental illness.
“Enforcing laws against open drug use, encampments, and trafficking”
Source → - Gates wants cities and counties, not Sacramento, to control their own zoning and land-use decisions.
“Defend the constitutional authority of cities and counties to control zoning, land use, and housing decisions”
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Public Safety & Policing
- Bonta makes fighting crime one of his top priorities. Source →
- Gates says public safety would be his top priority, and he wants to prosecute violent and repeat offenders.
“As Attorney General, Michael Gates will make public safety his top priority.”
Source → - Gates wants to protect police funding and provide legal defense for officers who are sued for doing their jobs.
“Police officers are the guardians of law and order.”
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Criminal Justice & Courts
- Says the justice system needs more safety and fairness.
“Attorney General Bonta believes that we need to infuse more safety and fairness into our justice system”
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- Says full implementation of Proposition 36 statewide would be his highest priority.
“Michael will make full implementation of Prop 36 across the State his highest priority after taking office.”
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Reproductive & Social Issues
- Says he is defending California's laws that ensure access to reproductive health care.
“At a moment when our reproductive health care is under attack, Attorney General Bonta is defending California's laws”
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No published position on this topic.
Immigration & Border
- Bonta defends the legal rights of California's immigrant communities.
“Attorney General Bonta is fighting to ensure that every Californian knows their rights and is treated with dignity”
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- Wants state policies to comply with federal immigration law and backed Huntington Beach's non-sanctuary stance.
“I’m going to ensure that we’re compliant with all federal laws”
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Environment, Energy & Climate
- Bonta uses the law to protect California's environment and hold polluters accountable.
“Attorney General Bonta seeking justice for these communities and ensuring California remains a global leader”
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No published position on this topic.
Government, Elections & Democracy
- Defends voting by mail against new federal requirements and urges voters to return ballots early.
“With ballots beginning to arrive, I encourage everyone to vote early to ensure your voice is heard.”
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- Gates wants to enforce election laws and keep voter rolls accurate, secure, and lawfully maintained.
“Ensure California’s elections are conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with the law”
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Technology & Privacy
- Enforces California's consumer privacy law against companies that make it hard to opt out of data sales.
“In California, asking a business to stop selling your data should not be complicated or cumbersome.”
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No published position on this topic.
Guns & Gun Safety
- Defends California's gun safety laws as Attorney General.
“Attorney General Bonta is defending California's first-in-class gun safety laws”
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- Describes the right to keep and bear arms as a constitutional right.
“The right to keep and bear arms is a constitutional right, not a privilege handed out by Sacramento politicians.”
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Candidates are those certified for the official ballot, listed alphabetically by last name. Photos appear only when we have an official, reusable photo of every candidate in the race. Positions are compiled from the candidates’ own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.