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 Democrat Rob Bonta, according to BallotReady election data.
Gates has said his platform centers on enforcing Proposition 36 and partnering with local law enforcement, according to his campaign website and his statement in the California Official Voter Information Guide. He also said he would defend local government authority over zoning and land use.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Huntington Beach
- Education: High school diploma, Marina High School; bachelor's degree in business administration and management, Pepperdine University; J.D., Chapman University
- Family: Married 30 years; father of five, according to his voter guide statement
Experience and public service
Gates said he was elected Huntington Beach city attorney in 2014 and won reelection in 2018 and 2022, serving ten years in that role, according to his responses on Ballotpedia. He also served as a Huntington Beach city council member, according to BallotReady profile data.
Before entering public office, Gates said he was a partner at an Orange County law firm. He said he is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gates is listed as deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, a position he has held since 2025, according to BallotReady.
As city attorney, Gates said 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.
On the issues
The following positions are Gates' own statements from his campaign materials and voter guide responses.
Criminal justice and public safety: Gates said he would fully enforce Proposition 36 statewide to restore accountability for repeat theft and drug offenses and prosecute traffickers. He said he would prioritize prosecution of violent and repeat offenders, partner with local prosecutors and law enforcement, and enforce laws against open drug use and encampments. He said he would defend law enforcement officers sued for doing their jobs.
Housing and local control: Gates said he would defend the constitutional authority of cities and counties to control zoning, land use and housing decisions.
Environment and energy: Gates said he would protect sensitive coastal zones, wildlife habitats, water supplies and high fire-risk areas. He said he would enforce environmental laws where high-density development threatens those areas.
Government reform: Gates said he would partner with federal and local law enforcement to dismantle fraud schemes. He said he would demand transparency through public reporting and independent audits and hold public officials and private contractors accountable for misusing funds.
Guns: Gates said he would defend Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Californians. He said he would focus enforcement on violent criminals, gangs and repeat offenders.
Endorsements
Gates has received endorsements from the following organizations, according to CalMatters and BallotReady profile data:
- California GOP
- California Republican Assembly
- California Congress of Republicans
- California Parents Union
- California Rifle and Pistol Association
- Los Angeles County GOP
- San Bernardino County GOP
- Santa Clara County GOP
- Alameda County GOP
- Bay Area GOP
- San Francisco GOP
- Monterey County GOP
- Silicon Valley Association of Conservative Republicans
Candidate positions are drawn from Gates' responses in the California Official Voter Information Guide, his Ballotpedia profile and his campaign website. South Bay Tide did not interview the candidate for this profile.
