Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Gates’ announcement that he’s throwing his hat in the ring for the next California Attorney General is great news for a return to the “rule of law” in the once-Golden State.
In a press release on Wednesday, the former Huntington Beach City Attorney and Deputy Assistant AG in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that he is entering the race to turn the broken state around, which he said “deserves so much better.”
READ MORE: Numbers Don’t Lie: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Outraising Democrats in Golden State Race
“Californians are fed up with a state government that protects criminals, wastes billions in taxpayer dollars, strips cities of local control, and spends enormous sums on homelessness programs that produce little to no results,” Gates said. “As a City Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, I have always followed this core principle: Always fight for the people. If we are not safe, nothing else matters.”
“As Attorney General, I will put public safety first,” he added. “I will enforce the law and back our police – not defund them. I will demand accountability from homelessness programs and force cities to enforce anti-camping and anti-drug policies already on the books. I will protect our environment from reckless Sacramento mandates and enforce our election laws to restore public confidence. My loyalty will always be to California residents – not Sacramento special interests.”
In a post on X about his announcement, Gates wrote the following:
It’s official! I’m running for California Attorney General!
Our state is broken and deserves so much better – we need leaders who fight for the people, who will crack down hard on crime so we have safer streets and a welcoming environment for businesses. We need accountability… pic.twitter.com/ObJL44A355
— Attorney Michael E. Gates (@MichaelGatesESQ) January 14, 2026
It’s official! I’m running for California Attorney General! Our state is broken and deserves so much better – we need leaders who fight for the people, who will crack down hard on crime so we have safer streets and a welcoming environment for businesses. We need accountability in government, strong local communities, and leaders who listen to our people. I’ll enforce the law, defend our police and sheriffs departments, protect parents’ rights, ensure elections integrity, and stand up for Californians.
Another Embarrassing Statistic Eric Swalwell Prefers You Not Know As He Runs for CA Governor
Gates’ public service began in Huntington Beach when he was elected as the Southern California city’s City Attorney in 2014, where he served until 2025, the press release noted.
Last year, he was appointed as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
In November, he resigned from that position with the DOJ.
As RedState reported, Gates has been rock solid in his defense of election integrity in at least one portion of the very blue state, racking up a win for common sense in court after Huntington Beach passed a ballot measure requiring voter ID at the polls in 2024.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨 The State of California’s challenge to the City of Huntington Beach’s new Voter ID law was rejected by the Court today. Fights produce wins, big and small, rolling over produces nothing. 🔥🔥🔥
cc @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump @drdrew @adamcarolla @ChefGruel pic.twitter.com/ANWKH8gZJp
— Attorney Michael E. Gates (@MichaelGatesESQ) November 15, 2024
In response, the state’s current AG, Rob Bonta, and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration filed a lawsuit against the city, but in November 2024, Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas upheld the measure.
The report read at the time:
“It’s a massive black eye to the state of California,” City Attorney Michael Gates said of the ruling. “And what the state of California needs to know, if they haven’t found out already, is Huntington Beach is not going to be intimidated or deterred.
In November of 2025, a three-judge panel in the Democrat-run state smacked down Dourbetas’ ruling, when the California Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed the lower court decision, ruling the voter ID measure was unlawful. What they ruled can be found here. But in short, the court found that a city couldn’t implement its own voter id requirements because it’s a state issue.
On Monday, the appeals court issued a ruling siding with the state, concluding that cities do not have the legal power to frame how people can vote since it’s a statewide issue.
On Wednesday, CA Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton celebrated news of Gates’ entrance in the race alongside former Democrat leader Gloria Romero (who switched parties) running for Lieutenant Governor as Hilton’s “running mate.”
Excited to add @MichaelGatesESQ to our Golden Ticket with @GloriaJRomero. As California’s next Attorney General, Michael will be the fighter we need to take on the CORRUPT Sacramento swamp.
Together, we will Make California Golden Again! pic.twitter.com/PCGTXdph9e
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) January 14, 2026
“Excited to add @MichaelGatesESQ to our Golden Ticket with @GloriaJRomero. As California’s next Attorney General, Michael will be the fighter we need to take on the CORRUPT Sacramento swamp,” Hilton wrote on X. “Together, we will Make California Golden Again!”
Here’s hoping Hilton, Romero, and Gates victories can translate into real voter ID measures in the state and really flip things around.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
Help us continue exposing Democrats’ plans to lead America down a dangerous path. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
