BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Michael Gates, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the Trump administration and the former Huntington Beach city attorney, is running for California attorney general, saying the state needs a change in direction.
Gates said he is entering the race because he believes “California is in crisis right now and I think there is a real opportunity to rescue it frankly,” pointing to “high gas prices, high taxes, high crime, high homeless” and adding that “Californians are pretty fed up.”
Reducing crime would be among his top priorities if elected next November.
Gates pledges tougher crime enforce and fraud crackdown in challenge to AG Rob Bonta{ }(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“We’re going to tackle crime. We’re going to be tough on crime, make crime illegal again,” Gates said.
He said he would “enforce Prop 36 on day one, with or without funding,” and criticized what he described as “a lot of excuses in Sacramento currently about why they are not being tough on crime and enforcing Prop 36.”
Gates also said he would take a more direct role with law enforcement leaders across the state.
“As the attorney general, I have purview over all 58 district attorneys and all 58 sheriffs, which means I am going to be dealing with them on a daily basis,” he said.
He said cracking down on fraud statewide would be another major focus.
“I’m going to be very aggressive with basically getting justice on the one hand against the criminals who have stolen the money from the taxpayer and those who needed it,” Gates said.
Gates pledges tougher crime enforce and fraud crackdown in challenge to AG Rob Bonta (KBAK/KBFX)
“And also restoring the money back to the taxpayer because they were the ones who were ultimately robbed.”
Gates contrasted himself with his opponent, current Attorney General Rob Bonta, and said voters should look to his background and approach.
“My record speaks for itself,” Gates said.
Gates pledges tougher crime enforce and fraud crackdown in challenge to AG Rob Bonta (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada, File)
“That’s the kind of performance that Californians are going to get when I’m in office as the Attorney General. They’re going to get a fighter. I’m not going to go to Sacramento to make friends. Let’s just make that abundantly clear.”