Michael E. Gates, a Republican and former Huntington Beach city attorney, is running for California attorney general in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Rob Bonta, a Democrat, according to BallotReady election data.
Gates says he would use the office to defend cities' authority over zoning, land use and housing decisions, issues that directly affect Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Huntington Beach, according to Gates
- Education: High school diploma, Marina High School; bachelor's degree in business administration and management, Pepperdine University; juris doctor, Chapman University, according to BallotReady profile data
- Family: Gates says he is a husband of 30 years and father of five
Experience and public service
Gates says he was elected Huntington Beach city attorney in 2014 and won reelection in 2018 and 2022, serving ten years in that role, according to Ballotpedia. He says he was also a partner at an Orange County law firm before entering public office. BallotReady profile data lists him as a former Huntington Beach City Council member.
He is listed by BallotReady as serving as deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, a position he holds as of 2025.
Gates says he is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. As city attorney, he says he built a local prosecution program that cut crime by double digits in its first year, making Huntington Beach one of California's safest cities, according to his candidate statement in the California Official Voter Information Guide.
On the issues
Gates' policy positions are drawn from his candidate statement in the California Official Voter Information Guide and his responses on his campaign website.
Public safety: Gates says he would fully enforce Proposition 36 statewide to restore accountability for repeat theft and drug offenses and prosecute traffickers. He says he would partner with local prosecutors and law enforcement, enforce laws against open drug use and encampments, and prioritize prosecution of violent and repeat offenders.
Local government authority: Gates says he would defend the constitutional authority of cities and counties to control zoning, land use and housing decisions. On the environment, he says he would protect coastal zones, wildlife habitats, water supplies and high fire-risk areas from what he calls reckless or unlawful development.
Gun rights: Gates says he would defend Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Californians. He would focus enforcement on violent criminals, gangs and repeat offenders.
Government accountability: Gates says he would demand full transparency with public reporting and independent audits, hold officials and contractors accountable for misusing funds, and partner with federal and local law enforcement to dismantle fraud schemes.
Education and civil rights: Gates says he would defend parents' rights to be informed and involved in their children's education and enforce Title IX statewide in sports and education.
Endorsements
The following endorsements are reported by CalMatters and BallotReady profile data, credited to the endorsing organizations:
- California GOP
- Los Angeles County GOP
- San Bernardino County GOP
- Santa Clara County GOP
- San Francisco GOP
- Monterey County GOP
- Alameda County GOP
- Bay Area GOP
- California Republican Assembly
- California Congress of Republicans
- Silicon Valley Association of Conservative Republicans
- California Rifle and Pistol Association
- California Parents Union
Candidate positions and biographical claims are based on Gates' responses in the California Official Voter Information Guide, Ballotpedia and his campaign website. The Platinum Tribune did not independently verify these claims.
