Michael E. Gates
Republican
California Attorney General
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Overview
Michael E. Gates is a former trial attorney who served as Huntington Beach's city attorney for a decade.1 He previously worked in the private sector as an attorney representing trucking companies.2 In 2025, he was appointed a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, a job he left in November to return to the Huntington Beach city attorney's office.3
His candidate statement says public safety is his top priority, and he supports enforcing Proposition 36 and prosecuting all crimes.4 He says he supports law enforcement and would bring programs he credits with lowering crime and homelessness in Huntington Beach to cities across California.4 He adds that he would prosecute fraud and corruption in Sacramento, protect parents' rights, enforce laws keeping boys out of girls' sports, and support voter ID.4 As city attorney, he fought parts of new state housing laws that would have made Huntington Beach build more affordable housing.3
As city attorney, he helped establish Huntington Beach's in-house community prosecutor program, which prosecuted petty crimes like public drunkenness and trespassing instead of relying on county prosecutors.5 He says the program reduced crime by double digits.4
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- July 1 to September 19, 2026
- Raised
- $498,726
- Cash on hand
- $336,369
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts (under $100) | $14,350 | 3% |
| Gifts from people ($100 or more) | $411,411 | 82% |
| PACs and other committees | $27,715 | 6% |
| Party committees | $1,000 | Under 1% |
| Businesses and other groups | $44,250 | 9% |
Large contributions reported since September 19, 2026: $177,400 in 82 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: California Secretary of State filings for Gates for Attorney General 2026
Endorsements
Sources
- Who are the 2026 candidates for California attorney general?, CalMatters. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Michael Gates Talks California Agriculture and Public Safety, AgNet West. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- 2026 General Election: California Attorney General race explainer, KPBS. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Attorney General Candidate Statements, California Secretary of State. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Your guide to the California attorney general's race, Yahoo News. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements | Michael Gates for Attorney General, Michael Gates for Attorney General 2026. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- 2026 CRP Endorsements, California Republican Party. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Additional Election Information: November 3, 2026 General Election, Party Endorsements for Voter-Nominated Offices, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- 2026 Executive Candidates, California Rifle & Pistol Association. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Statewide Offices: November 2026 General Election, California Republican Assembly. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Incumbent Rob Bonta, candidate Michael Gates advance in attorney general primary, Daily Bruin. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- California ProLife Council 2026 Voter Guide, California ProLife Council. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Reform California Voter Guide: Los Angeles County, Reform California. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.