California Law: Rob Bonta Secures Second Term
The incumbent defeated Republican Michael Gates by a wide margin as the state continues its streak of electing Democratic attorneys general.
By Nadia Singh ·
Rob Bonta has been projected to win reelection as California attorney general, defeating his Republican opponent Michael Gates.
NBC News called the race on Tuesday after counting 42% of the expected ballots. In that sample, Bonta received 63.5% of the votes while Gates collected 36.5%. This result grants Bonta a second term in the role, which he originally filled via appointment in 2021 before winning a full term in 2022.
The election outcome extends California's long stretch of Democratic control over the state's top legal post. The state has not elected a Republican attorney general since the late 1990s. Bonta, a former lawyer, made history in 2022 as the first Filipino American to hold the position. His tenure has been marked by a strong adversarial stance against the federal government, particularly during the second Trump administration which began in 2025.
Since January 20, 2025, Bonta's office has filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration. One notable legal challenge involved California and other blue states blocking federal efforts to attach conditions to grant programs. His challenger, Michael Gates, served as a Huntington Beach city attorney and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. Gates faced a steep uphill battle in a heavily Democratic state.
Other state races also saw clear winners on Tuesday. Congresswoman Maxine Waters retained her seat in the 43rd Congressional District, defeating a lesser-known Republican challenger by a large margin. Secretary of State Shirley Weber won reelection, while outgoing Treasurer Fiona Ma is projected to become the next lieutenant governor. Outgoing Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis is expected to take over the treasurer's office.
