California Attorney General Rob Bonta is deciding to stay out of the crowded governor’s race.
Bonta announced that he will run for reelection instead of jumping into the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Driving the news: Rumors of Bonta’s potential entrance into the race circulated throughout much of 2025.
- Early last year, Bonta said that he was not eyeing a run and would instead support former Vice President Kamala Harris if she ran. But the rumors started up again when Harris announced her intent to stay out of the race.
- Politico reported that labor unions have lobbied Bonta to run for governor in recent weeks in light of Sen. Alex Padilla opting to remain in his position.
What he’s saying: “Over the last five years, we’ve built a wall of protection around this state – a legal fortress around our rights, our freedoms, and our values that not even the most unlawful President can tear down,” Bonta said in a statement. “Together, we have proven that when California fights, WE WIN. This is why I have decided to continue my campaign to earn another term as your Attorney General.”
- Bonta said the outpouring of encouragement for him to run for governor has sharpened his focus.
What we’re watching: Instead of running for governor, Bonta plans to continue leading California against the Trump administration.
- His office has already sued the Trump administration more than 50 times and has often joined with other Democrat-led states in other lawsuits.
State of the race: As the calendar has now flipped into election year, many Democrats – along with two notable Republicans – make up the crowded field for governor.
- Other top Democrats in the race include former Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Ian Calderon, Tony Thurmond, Betty Yee, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer. Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are hoping to have success in the top-two primary slated for June.
- Former Rep. Katie Porter (D–Irvine) was viewed as the frontrunner for much of last year, but her stock tumbled when a video surfaced of her berating a staffer and another video of her walking out of an interview.
