Voters are getting some clarity on the race for California Attorney General, with some big names confirming or strongly hinting that they want the job.<\/p>\n
Current California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and former Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, could be among the slate of candidates facing off in California\u2019s June 2 primary.<\/p>\n
Bonta was widely considered<\/a> a potential gubernatorial candidate, but in recent days he said he will run for reelection instead. He cited the office\u2019s many ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration for his desire to stay in his current post.<\/p>\n Bonta also noted some recent federal actions \u2014 including last week\u2019s shooting of Renee Good<\/a> during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, and the Trump administration\u2019s attempt to withhold federal child welfare funds<\/a> from California and other Democratic-leaning states \u2013 as catalysts for his decision.<\/p>\n \u201cWatching this dystopian horror come to life has reaffirmed something I feel in every fiber of my being: In this moment, my place is here, shielding Californians from the most brazen attacks on our rights and our families,\u201d Bonta said in a statement Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cMy vision for the California Department of Justice is that we remain the nation\u2019s largest and most powerful check on power,\u201d Bonta added. \u201cWe aren\u2019t just defending the status quo; we are securing the California Dream for the next generation. Let\u2019s finish what we started \u2013 together.\u201d<\/p>\n Gates also is interested in the job.<\/p>\n In a statement issued Monday, in which Gates says he will \u201cfight for Californians as our next Attorney General,\u201d Gates\u2019 representatives said he would make a \u201cmajor announcement regarding a run for statewide office\u201d on Wednesday, Jan. 14, in Huntington Beach. The Huntington Beach City Council is expected to attend, along with First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and former state Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero.<\/p>\n Gates was elected city attorney in Huntington Beach in 2014 and held the job until early last year, when he accepted a federal role as Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General in the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Rights Division<\/a>.<\/p>\n