California Attorney General Rob Bonta plans to remain in his job for the next several years.
Bonta told Politico on Wednesday that he has decided against running for governor in 2026 and will instead seek reelection to Attorney General.
Driving the news: Bonta has long been rumored to be interested in a run for governor, in what has turned out to be a crowded field among Democrats to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was the first to launch her candidacy and has since been joined by former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former State Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
- Bonta’s announcement come after months of media inquiries about campaign contributions from parties to potential criminal probes and their representatives.
Flashback: Bonta served in the Assembly from 2012 to 2021, representing part of the East Bay in Sacramento.
- He was appointed by Newsom as the Attorney General in 2021 after Xavier Becerra was tapped by former President Joe Biden to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- Bonta was reelected in 2022 against Republican candidate Nathan Hochman – who is now the Los Angeles County District Attorney – winning by over 18 points.
State of play: Bonta’s decision to focus on his current position comes as he has positioned himself in the last two weeks as a national leader opposing Trump.
- Bonta has teamed up with other attorneys general to lead lawsuits against the Trump administration at the behest of Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature.
What we’re watching: The race for governor now awaits a decision from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is reportedly weighing her options after losing the Presidential election to Donald Trump.
- Rumors also point to former Rep. Katie Porter (D–Irvine) considering a run after she lost out in her bid for the Senate last year.
What he’s saying: Bonta told Politico that he would throw his support behind Harris if she decides to run for governor.
- “Kamala Harris would be a great governor,” Bonta told Politico. “I would support her if she ran. I’ve always supported her in everything she’s done. She would be field-clearing.”