Rob Bonta seeks reelection as California attorney general

Rob Bonta, the Democratic incumbent, is running for reelection as California attorney general in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Michael E. Gates. Pasadena voters will see this race on their ballots.

Bonta was sworn in April 23, 2021, as the 34th attorney general, according to the California Department of Justice. He was the first person of Filipino descent to hold the office.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: California Attorney General
Born: Sept. 22, 1971, in Quezon City, Philippines; immigrated to California as an infant
Education: Bachelor's in history, Yale University (1993); politics, philosophy and economics, University of Oxford; J.D., Yale University (1998)

Experience and public service

Judicial clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, Judge Alvin W. Thompson (1998–1999)
Litigation associate, Keker & Van Nest (1999–2003)
Deputy city attorney, County of San Francisco (2003–2012)
Director, Alameda Health Care District/Alameda Hospital (2007–2010)
City council member, City of Alameda (2010–2012)
Assembly member, District 18, California State Assembly (2012–2021)
Attorney general, State of California (2021–present)

According to Wikipedia, Bonta was the first Filipino American to serve in the California State Legislature.

On the issues

The positions below are from Bonta's responses to BallotReady's candidate questionnaire, posted on his campaign website, and his issues page. All statements reflect the candidate's claims.

Criminal justice and gun safety: Bonta said he wants to "infuse more safety and fairness into our justice system." He said he is fighting for more police funding and stronger local gun laws. Bonta said he is defending California's gun safety laws, including the assault weapons ban, from challenges by the NRA and gun lobbying groups. He said he co-authored legislation to strengthen regulations on high-capacity ammunition magazines in California.

Healthcare and reproductive rights: Bonta said he believes health care is a human right. He said he is defending the Affordable Care Act and California's health care expansions from legal challenges, pursuing cases against insurers that denied mental health benefits and seeking justice for opioid victims' families. He said he is defending laws protecting reproductive health care.

Workers and wages: Bonta said he has prioritized cases against employers who abuse workers, steal wages and create unsafe conditions. He said he increased the minimum wage to the highest in the country.

Immigration: Bonta said he is working to ensure all Californians know their rights regardless of immigration status.

Environment: Bonta said he is expanding the Department of Justice's capacity to prosecute polluters and get justice for communities harmed by pollution.