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Attorney General of California

Statewide — all of California

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

  • California uses a top-two primary: on June 2, 2026 Rob Bonta (D) received 56.6% and Michael Gates (R) 37.9% (Marjorie Mikels, Green, 5.4%), so the two advance to the general election.[5][6]
  • Bonta was appointed Attorney General by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021 and elected in 2022; his campaign emphasizes opposing federal actions while Gates argues the office should prioritize crime.[1]

On the ballot · 2 candidates

Rob BontaDINCUMBENTAttorney General of California (since 2021)Full profile →Michael GatesRFormer Huntington Beach city attorney; former U.S. Justice Department deputy assistant attorney general (2025)Full profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports

  • Rob Bonta
    —
  • Michael Gates
    Supports[4]

    His candidate statement says he would enforce laws that keep boys out of girls' sports.

Research notes & limits

Slate confirmed against the California Secretary of State's Official Certified List of Candidates for the November 3, 2026 general election (dated August 27, 2026), which lists Rob Bonta (Democratic) and Michael E. Gates (Republican) for Attorney General. Primary percentages are from Ballotpedia. Gates's website was not loaded; the web address comes from his candidate statement.

Sources · 11

Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Bonta's battles with Trump define California attorney general race as GOP challenger tries to break through · Napa Valley Register (Orange County Register/TNS) News report
  2. 2."A Sobering Milestone": Attorney General Bonta Files 100th Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration in Under Two Years · California Attorney General · 2026-10-15 Official record
  3. 3.Attorney General Bonta Files Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration for Terminating Funding for Unemployment Insurance System Improvements · California Attorney General · 2026-10-09 Official record
  4. 4.Attorney General Candidate Statements, June 2, 2026 Primary · California Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide Candidate's own words
  5. 5.California Attorney General election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
  6. 6.General Election, November 3, 2026: Official Certified List of Candidates · California Secretary of State · 2026-08-27 Official record
  7. 7.Bonta's battles with Trump define California attorney general race as GOP challenger tries to break through · Napa Valley Register (Orange County Register/TNS) News report
  8. 8."A Sobering Milestone": Attorney General Bonta Files 100th Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration in Under Two Years · California Attorney General · 2026-10-15 Official record
  9. 9.Attorney General Rob Bonta · California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · 2026-10-21 Official record
  10. 10.Bonta's battles with Trump define California attorney general race as GOP challenger tries to break through · Napa Valley Register (Orange County Register/TNS) News report
  11. 11.Attorney General Candidate Statements, June 2, 2026 Primary · California Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide Candidate's own words