Incumbent
Michael E. Gates
Incumbent Republican candidate for Attorney General in California
California Attorney General winner?
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NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — California Attorney General winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
NOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleOther
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age51 years old (Mar 28, 1975)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationChapman University School of Law (J.D.)
Notable personal detailsMichael E. Gates is an attorney and Republican candidate for California Attorney General. He served as the elected City Attorney of Huntington Beach, California, winning citywide elections in 2014, 2018, and 2022. In 2025, he served at the U.S. Department of Justice as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division. He is a husband and the father of five.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Michael E. Gates criticizes high taxes and says Sacramento keeps looking for ways to raise them. His campaign also emphasizes cutting fraud, waste, and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars and defending taxpayers through tougher enforcement and audits.
Immigration & Border
Gates has opposed California’s sanctuary-state restrictions and supported police cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including honoring ICE detainers. He frames immigration enforcement as part of a broader law-and-order agenda and has criticized rhetoric that portrays illegal aliens as victims.
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Climate & Energy
Michael E. Gates emphasizes local control over land-use and environmental decisions, arguing that Sacramento mandates can override community priorities and harm environmental protection. His platform favors enforcing existing environmental laws while resisting state-level development mandates and preserving community authority over zoning and growth.
Public Safety & Guns
Michael Gates says he will defend Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Californians, streamline concealed-carry permit processes, and focus enforcement on violent criminals rather than responsible gun owners. He also says he supports getting illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and backs law enforcement and full police funding.
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