Side by side · California Attorney General
Michael Gates vs. Rob Bonta
Where the candidates stand, side by side, with a source for every claim. Compiled from the same sourced cards used in the blind match.
This page names the candidates. Prefer to judge the records first? The blind match takes about five minutes.
Take the blind match insteadMichael Gates
Republican
Rob Bonta
Democratic · California Attorney General
Housing and cost of living
In public office, opposed state housing laws that would have required the local government he represented to plan more affordable housing.
Source: CalMatters
In public office, enforced state housing laws against cities that resisted requirements to plan for new housing.
Source: California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
Public safety and criminal justice
Supports enforcing existing camping and loitering laws and fully funding police departments.
In public office, enforced the criminal justice laws the state adopted in the early 2020s.
Source: KPBS Public Media
Immigration
Supports stronger state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and has challenged the state sanctuary law in public office.
Source: California Courier
In public office, filed or joined more than 50 lawsuits against the current federal administration, including over its immigration enforcement actions.
Source: CalMatters
Governance and ethics
In public office, defended a city's voter identification measure against the state's lawsuit, arguing local voters' election decisions should stand.
Source: CalMatters
In public office, sued a city to block its local voter identification requirement, arguing that state election law preempts local election rules.
Source: California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General